It started small — a scenario spread by Glendale fans at sporting events last season. Soon, it moved to hallways. Now it’s snowballed to the point where it would seem all of Springfield is thoroughly convinced it’s true.

However, Kickapoo’s mascot will remain the Chiefs, despite speculation that it might be changed.

The new mascot was said to be anything from “Prairie Dogs” to “Beavers,” and Falcon fans were giddy about it.

“I wouldn’t be able to take them seriously,” sophomore football player Jordan Lewis said. “It’s kinda hard enough as it is.”

Most weren’t sure where they first the gossip. “I think I heard it at a soccer game,” athletic director Jon Ewing said.

Ewing said he was at a meeting in

which David Schmitz, Kickapoo principal, denied the rumor and said he didn’t know where it came from.

Even so, several Kickapoo students thought the mascot change was a sure thing. “I didn’t believe it at first but then I heard a teacher talking about it, so I started to think it was for real,” Kickapoo sophomore, Garrett Sweaney, said.

Even if the mascot were to be changed, some didn’t think it would impact the rivalry between southside schools.

“I don’t think it would do much,” sophomore Evan Leake said. “Though there could’ve been more heckling from Glendale fans.”