The Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders took to the center of the football field during halftime for their first performance of the 2014 season, spanning 20 yards between each 40, at Friday's Kia Motors Friday Night Lights at Archer High School in Lawrenceville. Veterans and rookies alike brought a level of energy to the already excited crowd, readying them for the second half of live tackling.

Coming into the first performance, each member of the squad has her own set of nerves, whether it's first-time jitters or goose-bump-filled-excitement. However, the feeling is more exhilaration to be able to dance "as a team together" in front of a crowd for the first time.

"It's very exciting," four-year veteran and co-captain Alice F. said. "We have a great crowd, especially when it's in the community."

The hard work and dedication drive these women through any nerves they have. They focus on these traits before each performance and to look up to the veterans to help calm them.

"You look to them and see them smiling," first-year Falcons cheerleader Alexandria G. said. "You're here for a reason and this is what you want to do and this is what you love to do, so just go out there and live your life and have a blast doing it at the same time."

Between putting on their makeup and putting on the uniform for the first time, the nerves are still there for the rookies.

"… Just getting all those jitters and those butterflies, it's overwhelming, but such a rewarding thing as well because you've worked so hard, especially being a rookie," Alexandria said.

The opportunity to perform for the first time for the hometown crowd is always an exciting one, especially coming into this season.

"I haven't had the experience of the crowd being around me and getting that amazing sensation from the crowd," Alexandria said. "But, at the same time, whenever you're looking to the girl to your left and your right, and you're seeing how much fun they're having and how much energy they're giving, it just kind of like pumps you up too. It's like such an out of body experience."

At the end of the day, each girl has different dreams and different aspirations in life, but they are all there because they want to be and because they love to perform.

"We each kind of get that rush from performing, so we all kind of give it our all," Alice said. "It's great performing in front of a crowd, especially a crowd that's really excited for our upcoming season."