by Rich Briggs

Created on: August 11, 2008

While I work in education and have since the spring of 2002, I began following high school football on a regular basis back in 1994. I live in southwestern Pennsylvania, which is a hotbed for football on all levels. Some of the best players in football history began their careers in the Pittsburgh region. They all got their starts on the football fields in their neighborhoods and moved their way up to their high school football teams. The ritual that is high school football on Friday nights in the fall is a right of passage for players and fans alike. I have been fortunate enough to be a part of this process since the fall of 2002.

I believe football has found its place in the hearts of nearly every sports fan in America because every game means something. When games are played once a week, they are magnified and each one means something in the standings. When high school students play the game, they carry the hopes and dreams of a community on their shoulders. The spotlight is on them for two to three hours every Friday evening in the fall and the fans, and the community, are there to cheer them on.

I have experienced this as fan since 1994 and realized how much a community comes together for such an event. Whether it is parents, relatives, classmates, or just members of the community, everyone seems to have a vested interested in how well these young men do as well as the overall performance of the team. Nothing else seems to embody how much football, and high school football, means to a community. After a game is over, some fans will congregate at a local restaurant, or eatery, and discuss the night's events and how well some of the players played. It is this camaraderie that makes high school football so important to a community.

These games are events, as there are two teams meeting for competition and everyone is their to support them. Each team generall has a band to perform for the fans on behalf of the school and they play such terrific music that the fans sometimes take on the personification of the band and follow along with each song played with their own cheers. Halftime brings the bands onto the field for their performances where they play their seletion of songs for the fans. This adds to the pagentry that is high school football.

I had the good fortune to begin announcing our high school football games in the fall of 2007 and will begin my second season in the same capacity in a few weeks. You realize how special it is to be able to call the games and knowing the fans are also hanging on every word and to deliver the information of what is happening on the field in concise fashion. This is a responsibility not to be taken lightly. Announcing games is not easy, but is can be easier with a proper support staff. But it is every enjoyable, especially when the home team is winning.

There are those who feel high school sports, and especially football, are not entirely necessary to the education process. I strongly beg to differ. High school sports teach young people about responsibility, character, working within a team concept, and sacrificing self for the team. High school sports can be effective building blocks for students who are about to enter college and the real world. High school football is a very important part of that equation.

Autumn 2008 is not that far away and the high school football scene will be upon us. The pagentry and camaraderie that is high school football is so important to the fabric of school, fans, community, and family. No other sport brings out these elements like high school football. This is why high school football is so special.

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