A Legacy of Support: Vero Beach Fans Rally for Championship Game
For generations, the pulse of Vero Beach has beat in rhythm with the Friday night lights of its high school football team. This year, that rhythm is amplified as the Vero Beach Fighting Indians prepare to make their first appearance in the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) state championship game since 1981. The excitement is palpable, not just among the players and coaches, but throughout the community, with loyal fans demonstrating their unwavering dedication in a remarkable display of school spirit.
One such devoted fan is Mike Henderson, a 76-year-old whose commitment to the Vero Beach High School football team is as legendary as the team’s own history. Henderson has a streak that’s almost as impressive as a perfect season: he hasn’t missed a single Vero Beach High School football game since he was just five years old. “I’m not going to miss (today),” Henderson declared, a sentiment echoed by the hundreds of fans preparing to embark on a journey to Miami for the championship clash.
The Fighting Indians, boasting an undefeated 14-0 record, are set to face Lake Mary (11-3) in the Class 7A state championship game. This momentous occasion carries a deep historical significance for Vero Beach, a town that remembers its own undefeated state championship in the late 1940s. Henderson’s own family legacy is intertwined with this proud past. His father, Herb “Bull” Henderson, was the team captain in 1946-47, a period that culminated in that historic undefeated state championship. It was his father who first instilled in him a love for the game, a tradition that has been passed down through the generations. Henderson himself was seen boarding the “Magic Carpet Ride” fan bus alongside his brother, Mitch, and Mitch’s great-grandchildren, 8-year-old Kynleigh Owens and 9-year-old Brenden Smith, underscoring the multi-generational passion for the team.
“The whole family is Vero Beach Fighting Indians football fans,” Henderson stated, a simple declaration that encapsulates the community’s profound connection to its team.
The energy surrounding the championship game was evident long before the buses departed. Fans began gathering at 1:30 p.m. for the 3 p.m. departure of the charter buses, eager to show their support. Dressed in the school’s signature red and black, the Vero Beach contingent arrived ready to rally their team to victory. The atmosphere was festive, with attendees bringing pom-poms, hand-painted signs emblazoned with messages of encouragement for Vero Beach, and seat cushions for the journey ahead. Two 56-seat charter buses departed from the former Kmart location off U.S. 1, carrying a sea of red and black towards Miami.
“We’ve got to support the boys,” emphasized Lekesha Weems, her voice filled with conviction. For these dedicated fans, defeat was simply not an option.
Toni Allston, whose father, Joe Moore, serves as the team’s chaplain, articulated the collective mindset with a confident declaration. “They’re doing a pickup (of the championship trophy),” she explained. “It’s theirs all along. We’re just going to go pick it up for them.” This optimistic outlook, coupled with a strong sense of belief, was further embodied by the custom shirts worn by Allston, Weems, and their fellow travelers, proudly displaying the empowering message: “I believe. I can do. I will do. I will overcome.”
The fan base was a diverse mix, with some arriving in organized groups and others joining as family units. While many faces might have been new to one another, a single, powerful commonality bound them all: an unshakeable dedication to the Vero Beach Fighting Indians. The departure of the buses was met with a resounding cheer and a unified chant of “Go Vero!”, a powerful send-off that reverberated through the afternoon air.
The commitment to supporting the team extended beyond just the bus ride. Barbara Moore, who hails from Ohio, made a point to attend the noon send-off for the team buses before heading to her own transportation. “It was great,” she shared, recalling the experience of standing at the State Road 60 intersection. “We were one of the last ones to wish them well.” Moore, a season-ticket holder, exemplifies the broad appeal of the team’s success. Despite having no direct long-term ties to the team or the high school, she finds herself drawn to the sport and the community’s shared enthusiasm. “We just like football,” she said simply, a sentiment that resonates with many who have been captivated by the Fighting Indians’ remarkable season.
On the second fan bus was Ed Witkowski, a 1978 Vero Beach High School graduate, and his friend Dessie Bell, a 1976 graduate. Witkowski said he has been a season ticket holder for 47 years. He was at the 1981 state championship game, remembering having to arrive two hours early to get their seats.
Witkowski remembered when former Coach Billy Livings arrived in Vero Beach.
“I thought, we might actually win,” he said.
Bell used to sit on the visitors side when he attended games. He said he prayed last night over the team and the buses.
Attending the games is a fun time, the bus riders said.
“I’m very excited (about seeing the state championship), ” said Henderson, who also attended Thursday’s pep rally for the team. “I like Vero Beach. It reminds me of a small college with the turnout and the fan support.”
Colleen Wixon is the Indian River County government watchdog reporter for TCPalm and Treasure Coast Newspapers.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Fan buses, school spirit ramped up to cheer on the Fighting Indians