From footballs to pom-poms: Cedar’s first male cheerleader in four years 

Senior and former football player Kaihn Davenport is hanging up his football jersey and exchanging it for pom-poms as the first male cheerleader at Cedar Shoals in four years. Davenport’s sister inspired him to make the switch to cheerleading. 

“My sister Ny’kia Davenport cheered for Cedar, so I was here at the home games. I really liked how Cedar cheered because they do Stomp and Shake, and the college I want to go to (Winston Salem State University) does Stomp and Shake as well. Every time I see them on Instagram it’s pretty hype,” Davenport said. 

Stomp and Shake, a nontraditional form of cheerleading, originated during the 1970s at historically Black colleges and universities. Throughout the early 2000s, this form of cheer rose in popularity at HBCUs in Virginia and North Carolina. Using it in the cheer routines at Cedar, Davenport enjoys incorporating this historical style to raise spirit and motivate fans.

“I really like Stomp and Shake because it’s different from traditional cheer. You have stunts and flips; it’s very sharp. It originated from Black people, so we shake our hips, we stomp really loud and we use a different tone with our voices. It’s from the core of your stomach not just from your throat, and there’s a lot of swag and culture to it,” Davenport said. 

An offensive lineman playing center, left guard and nose guard for the Cedar football team from 2021-24, Davenport sought a change in atmosphere and sport and took a leap of faith. Making the varsity team during his first year cheering, Davenport found a new sense of community.

“When I came into high school I definitely wanted to cheer because I wanted to experience not only the game of football, but also what it’s like to use your voice and pick up the spirit instead of getting discouraged on the football field,” Davenport said. 

Feeling conflicted about his future in football, Davenport felt it was time to try something new. 

“I also love football. Some people knew that they weren’t going to college for football, and some knew that they were and had a purpose for wanting to play. I was in between both of those,” Davenport said. 

After joining the cheer team, Davenport saw a difference between the two sports. 

“Some transitions that I noticed were definitely the atmosphere. Football was very standard and serious and everything was similar because we practiced the same things every week. We knew what we were facing because we played that team before. With cheer, everybody is there to have fun, and that’s what the team is for: to cheer the team on and get the crowd hyped. I can finally experience what the student section is doing,” Davenport said. 

Assistant head football coach Thrandon Echols has worked as defensive, offensive and special teams coordinator, providing support on and off the field to players. While Echols believes Davenport would have been a great addition to the team during his senior year, he supports Davenport following his passion. 

“He was a pretty good player. He played on the offensive line, and he helped the team out quite a bit. As a football coach, I want them to play football. I think he could have helped us out. However, for him, he took a step out on faith, followed his passion and it worked for him,” Echols said. 

Davenport supports his former teammates by cheering them on from the field. Through friendship and teamwork, both sports work together to support one another. 

“In terms of a support system I think that’s a good relationship to have. I think a lot of the football players and cheerleaders are friends outside of the sport,” Echols said.

Signing up to do varsity cheer for both football and basketball, Davenport is setting out to showcase his abilities and what he offers to the team.

“When I tried out (to cheer) for varsity football and basketball I had to warm up outside, and once my group number was called, three or four people went with me. You go in, show spirit, do the jumps and do the cheer. I was pretty happy with the results because I knew the girls that also made it on the team were as good as me, so it was a lot of competition,” Davenport said.

Davenport also saw an opportunity to have more time to focus on school, work and spending time with friends. 

“It’s really a good balance because (cheer) gives me time to go home if I need to get homework done or do a chore. That way when practice starts I’m able to lock in and not really have to worry about how I have homework when I get home. Time management wise, it’s good,” Davenport said.

Setting the tone for Cedar male cheerleading, former cheerleader Tykerious Monford, known as TK, was the JV cheer captain before moving up to the varsity team between 2018-21. 

“I took gymnastics classes when I was younger, that’s where I learned to do flips and stunts. Then in middle school I was the only boy on the step team. I’d never cheered until I joined the Cedar team. When I got to high school all of my friends were done stepping and became cheerleaders. The cheerleading team had never had a boy on it, so I didn’t really know I could try out. I messaged the Instagram page and asked them if I could join the team. I’m not the first male cheerleader at Cedar, but I think I was the first in a long time,” Monford said.

While on the cheer team, Monford gained skills that he uses in his everyday life after graduating from high school and attending Brown University. Monford thinks the support from coaches helped create a space that is more open to men.

“Coach Reese and Coach Daniels (Markise Foote) have been really good for the program. They made it more open to other boys who are thinking about joining the cheerleading team. I think the team is only stronger when there’s a boy on it. I think the girls are really good, but a boy kind of makes everyone work a little bit harder,” Monford said. 

This past summer, Cedar cheerleaders attended the Fellowship of Christian Athletes cheer camp at Valdosta State University. Focusing more on traditional cheer rather than Stomp and Shake, the Jaguar cheerleaders learned a different form of cheerleading. 

“FCA focuses more on the stiff sharpness of traditional cheer, so it was something new for most of us. It was pretty challenging, and I enjoyed expanding my versatility with cheer to where I’m not only learning stomp and shake, but I’m also learning traditional cheer and how to be sharp,” Davenport said. 

FCA also gives cheerleaders the opportunity to connect with other teams while participating in devotional and Bible studies that are worked into the busy competition schedule.

“You live in the dorms, and you basically have a program where you’re doing cheer routines, stunting, tumbling and there’s also a little team bonding as you’re learning about Christ and worshiping. Every cheerleader that goes to camp gets a Bible, and we have a service every night,” cheer coach Courtni Reese said.

After leading the team in prayer, Davenport received two awards for his leadership. Receiving the Heart of the Huddle and the All-American Award, Davenport was presented with the opportunity to march at the 2024-25 Peach Bowl parade in Atlanta. 

Using what he’s learned at FCA, Davenport leads the team through cheers while calling out chants and assisting with performing stunts. Senior cheerleader Kimora Hubbard thinks that Davenport’s strength and faith based presence adds the additional support needed to cheer on and off the field.

“Kaihn is very laid back, and he’s very godly. If there’s a moment where we feel overwhelmed he’s willing to pray and figure out a solution. I felt like we definitely needed that addition,” Hubbard said. 

While following his passion, Davenport uses his love for cheer to motivate others and set a new standard for male cheerleaders at Cedar.

“This was a new opportunity to showcase that not only am I good at football, but I’m also good at something that is usually meant for girls. It became an opportunity to showcase something new for myself and show my versatility in sports,” Davenport said.