Prep Zone

By Kurtis

September 19, 2007 11:46 AM | Link to this

I couldn’t agree with you more. You could also add to your list — no lines at the bathroom, affordable concessions, the opportunity to talk to the coaches and players after the game, and being able to shake their hand and congratulate them on a win or see the disappointment in their eyes and give them a hug when their team loses. I love high school football!!!

By Bigocahoonies

September 19, 2007 11:46 AM | Link to this

Amen! I’d rather watch kids than millionaires play a sport anyday.

By Singcntry

September 19, 2007 11:50 AM | Link to this

AMEN!!!!!

Nothing like Friday Night Lights in GA!!!

By dhs

September 19, 2007 12:10 PM | Link to this

Yes I love HIGH SCHOOL

By DHS

September 19, 2007 12:13 PM | Link to this

I love High School football especially DUNWOODY 3-0 so far,although THE AJC didn’t mention their WIN over Appalachee last week. Congratulations DUNWOODY for your WIN. Keep up the good work.

By DHS

September 19, 2007 12:13 PM | Link to this

I love High School football especially DUNWOODY 3-0 so far,although THE AJC didn’t mention their WIN over Appalachee last week. Congratulations DUNWOODY for your WIN. Keep up the good work.

By R

September 19, 2007 12:49 PM | Link to this

Hey…you gotta gives props to the bands. Those kids work hard in the summer too (and, in some coaches’ eyes, work harder than the team). They get very little fanfare, a pitiful excuse called county funding, and arent as popular in some circles, but they play for the love of it too.

By Capt

September 19, 2007 1:09 PM | Link to this

The only thing that beats High School football is the Pee Wee games. They are so much fun to watch…them and the T Ball Baseball games…catch one sometime its the best entertainment around.

By jc

September 19, 2007 1:15 PM | Link to this

Amen for the Bands. They are so often overlooked. A high school football game would not be the same as when the marching band for the home team marches into the stadium. It gives me goose bumps. GO WOODSTOCK WOLVERINES

By RY

September 19, 2007 1:18 PM | Link to this

THANK YOU TAKE TEN!!!!!!!!

I actually CRY when High School Football and even basketball ends. I would rather watch our kids play than professional athletes anyday. College comes in at a distant second.

I PLAN MY WEEKEND around high football games much to the displeasure of my wife to be. The best game of this weekend: TUCKER VS. ST. PIUS. GO TUCKER

By Dostahawk

September 19, 2007 1:35 PM | Link to this

Glad to see the rest of the World is finally catching on. Down here in Winnersville, there’s nothing better than a High School football game. Its community, friends, relatives, kids, adults…all coming together to root for their team. I thank the Lord every Friday nite!

By ga dog

September 19, 2007 1:48 PM | Link to this

no way, college football is number one by miles, high school is second, while pro football lines up with basketball, at the dirt bottom

By Jeff

September 19, 2007 2:34 PM | Link to this

Well, we finally got the cooler temps to go along with our Friday Night Fix!

I can’t WAIT for the next game, and particularly the ones later in the season that start AFTER the sun has fully set!

BTW: Cass High, 3-0. Next game is against the cross-town (HATED) rival, and Cass stands a good chance at actually BEATING Cartersville this year!

Take that, ya stinking CANES!

By FIUmom

September 19, 2007 2:57 PM | Link to this

I used to think it would never get any better than Friday night under the lights at a Northside-Warner Robins game that decided the region champion. That’s what I thought in high school, until my son scored the winning touchdown that gave his high school team the district championship. Then I watched my son play in the state semi-finals in 5A in Florida against the #1 team in the country at the time (Lakeland High School). They fell 4 yards short and lost 28-21, but my son was the only person to rush for more than 100 yards against them in three years. That was incredible. I am still adjusting to him playing in college, and I love it. But there is nothing like watching him in high school.

By Matty P

September 19, 2007 3:06 PM | Link to this

Jeff, I certainly agree that High School football can bring an unspoiled, untainted atmosphere (except Parkview) that is very hard to replicate. My days at Roswell (class of ‘02) were an incredible time and my friends always knew where we’d be on Friday nights. However I have to give the significant edge to the college game simply because of the unbeatable spirit and tailgating that go along with it. Yes I’ve been in Sanford Satdium on 90+ scorching days with many a Georgia fan sweating along side me and I’d take that over sitting in an air-conditioned box anyday (until I get older). Not all areas of the country can appreciate high school football, but everybody has their favorite college team whether they went there or not. GO DAWGS, ROLL over the TIDE!

By jarvis

September 19, 2007 3:34 PM | Link to this

If you’re not even going to talk about talent level and speed of the game, this is a pointless comparison. The same list of garbage you have listed could be said for Pop Warner.

By Bert Bell

September 19, 2007 3:37 PM | Link to this

I went to a high school game once. Left at halftime. What a pathetic display of “football.” Something for parents to endure/enjoy/whatever.

Like comparing some snot-nosed whelps in go karts to Aryton Senna at Spa.

By Jeff Haws

September 19, 2007 3:37 PM | Link to this

Good point about the bands, those of you who brought it up. The reason I didn’t include it was because 1) It really only applies for the teams that have great band programs, and 2) There are several college teams whose bands are fantastic too. Go to Ohio State or Tennessee or any number of other college stadiums, and you’ll see some excellent bands. And don’t even get me started on the Florida A&Ms of the world. More people go to see the band than the football team a lot of the time.

But you guys do have a point. Maybe bands are No. 11.

By Jeff Haws

September 19, 2007 4:31 PM | Link to this

jarvis-

Thanks for commenting.

This is about the arguments in favor of high school football, not against it, so there’d be no reason to talk about talent level and speed.

Obviously, if you’re simply looking for the best and fastest players, you should be watching the NFL. What else do college and the NFL have over high school?

By Allen

September 19, 2007 5:17 PM | Link to this

I agree, there is nothing like h.s. football, from my playing days at Palmetto High School til now when i get to watch my son play at Hiram High School and all the years in between. The atmosphere at the start of the season is electric, and it just builds from there. Even if your favorite team doesnt make the playoffs, you still have a tendency to follow it through to the end. if for no other reason, just to pull against the team that you hate the most that did make it. for everybody that truly loves those Friday Night Lights, there is really nothing that comes close.

By Buzz In Roswell

September 19, 2007 5:17 PM | Link to this

This is the best list ever.

By HSfan

September 19, 2007 6:31 PM | Link to this

I played & love (bigtime) highschool football, but there’s no way it’s better than college. I can see the case for saying it’s better than pro (NFL) football, but college football has the best of both worlds.

By John

September 19, 2007 6:46 PM | Link to this

THIS…IS…A…JOKE…the only people who watch HS football and baseball are the families and friends of the players. Anyone else watching it just creepy.

By dukegirl

September 19, 2007 7:18 PM | Link to this

I LOVE high school football. Always have. I wasn’t one of those kids that walked around and socialized during the game. I actually watched. The reason I love hs football is it is the purest form of football. These kids bust it to play, most knowing this is all they’ll get to play. And as far as talent goes, I’ve been to some hs school games that had players with more talent than some college teams.

By MIKE

September 19, 2007 7:34 PM | Link to this

I COULDN’T AGREE WITH YOU MORE. I BELIEVE THAT HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL IS FOOTBALL AT ITS PUREST. THERE ARE NO ENDORSEMENTS NO I’M LEAVING SCHOOL EARLY TO GO TO THE NFL. JUST A BUNCH OF GUYS COMING TOGETHER AS A FAMILY PLAYING THE GAME THEY LOVE THE MOST. LAYING THERE BODIES ON THE LINE JUST SO THEY CAN TALK ABOUT IT COME MONDAY. HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL IS AND ALWAYS WILL BE FOOTBALL AT ITS PUREST.

By Parkview Fan

September 19, 2007 8:44 PM | Link to this

Absolutely - There’s nothing like HS football - You can keep the overpaid prima donna pros with their weird dogfighting fetishes. At HS we actually take our dog to watch the games - she loves it.

There’s no better way to get to know people in your neighborhood. And its a great way to stay connected with your teenagers. On Friday nights you know where they are, and they know you’re there. College ball is OK, but the best thing I can say about it is its not as bad as the pros. To John - I’m sorry that you don’t get it.

By Jeff Haws

September 19, 2007 9:08 PM | Link to this

Mike-

Great point about kids leaving early. That’s one that definitely could have gone on the list. You know high school kids are going to be with the team for 4 years, unless they transfer. And even then, you’ll probably be able to see them play for 4 years somewhere in the area.

Very good one, Mike. That’s an oversight on my part. Definitely should have been there.

By Swatguy

September 20, 2007 12:25 AM | Link to this

Don’t forget the band. Gotta go to a Mays game no matter the location and witness their 12th player. Tucker and many other’s will never forget.

By davil

September 20, 2007 2:55 AM | Link to this

John………you have a floater and you’re all stopped up. From college sports up, most people can only pay high prices and WATCH. High School sports down through little league allows for greater INVOLVEMENT. I grew up going to UGA games and I loved every minute. It is now too expensive for our family. I have coached little league football, baseball and softball and now I’m involved with band instrument transport with Northide/WR. Although it is fun to set and watch, it means much more to PLAY a part.

By Eaglefan

September 20, 2007 4:18 AM | Link to this

Good piece Jeff.I live for fridays nights man.I’m in my forties, and i think i’m more hyped than the kids.I played high school ball at 3:30 on friday afternoon’s.The majority of the times my parents were still at work at kickoff,throw in Washington D.C traffic,they barely made the 4th quarter.My son plays and i haven’t missed a single game here in Ga..Nothing beats a high school game.

By Rod Stone

September 20, 2007 7:39 AM | Link to this

The AJC posted results fo all GA. HS football but nothing on SIAC (Morehouse, Clark/Atlanta, Ft Valley, Albany State etc)

By Block

September 20, 2007 9:26 AM | Link to this

Amen Jeff! I couldn’t agree more. High School football is king. I also love college football, but have lost a good bit of interest in the NFL….it’s not really about the sport anymore, it’s about big money and that always attracts a lot of thugs!

By Irish Bill

September 20, 2007 9:48 AM | Link to this

I think that John up there is kinda CREEPY! I wish they’d let me camp out in the Shamrock Bowl in Dublin even when the Irish aren’t playing!

By Getitright

September 20, 2007 10:23 AM | Link to this

Take everything Haws said, add the Bands, the kids socializing, the cheerleaders, the mascots and the outside grills cooking hot dogs and hamburgers and you see a lot of what is good about this country. High School football in person is by far better than any other football.

By Chris

September 20, 2007 10:29 AM | Link to this

I love college football and basketball but high school is the purest thing we have…

By DSGB

September 20, 2007 10:56 AM | Link to this

You are so correct.High school Football brings a town together. If you ever get a chance in the future check out Cairo vs. Thomasville. You will come away very pleased.

By Your boi

September 20, 2007 11:21 AM | Link to this

High School football is way better by a long shot. I graduated from Osborne High School in 99. There is nothing like HS football dude. The band, the people, the atmophere. Damn I miss it

By Your boi

September 20, 2007 11:21 AM | Link to this

High School football is way better by a long shot. I graduated from Osborne High School in 99. There is nothing like HS football dude. The band, the people, the atmophere. Damn I miss it

By Your boi

September 20, 2007 11:21 AM | Link to this

High School football is way better by a long shot. I graduated from Osborne High School in 99. There is nothing like HS football dude. The band, the people, the atmophere. Damn I miss it

By The Monk

September 20, 2007 11:34 AM | Link to this

Every Friday night I go out and watch my son’s undersized team beat bigger, faster, meaner teams from much bigger schools by playing what amounts to service academy team football.

It is David vs. Goliath every Friday, and the bonus is: David almost always wins!

What in the world could be better than that?

By StoneBone

September 20, 2007 11:58 AM | Link to this

The AJC posted results fo all GA. HS football but nothing on SIAC (Morehouse, Clark/Atlanta, Ft Valley, Albany State etc)

By cody

September 20, 2007 12:20 PM | Link to this

high school football is not the best. Plain and simple you ask someone if they had a chance to watch northside warner robins play some other team or watch say the georgia-tenn game i guarantee you which one everybody from around the area would pick georgia- tenn. some high school kids play it because they want to get to college and play and then the nfl so you cant use the excuse that they play it simply for the love of the game.

By BJ

September 20, 2007 1:51 PM | Link to this

High School football is the best, especially the halftime shows…..”The Battle of the Bands”. College football ranks second in my book & ditto for the halftime show

By Dekalbfan

September 20, 2007 6:15 PM | Link to this

man i love high school football so much i don’t even think about NFL and college football. high school football is where to be on a Friday night

By etowah 08

September 20, 2007 10:08 PM | Link to this

you are totally right hs football is the best.

btw the etowah eagles are 3-0 with a huge win last week agains woodstock

GO EAGLES!

By Jeff Fisher

September 20, 2007 11:17 PM | Link to this

Amen to all of the above….now try this on for size when it comes to high school football….

Last Friday USA Today’s cover story “High School Showdown Is Shaped By Contrasts” made me smile. What really made me grin though was the second headline “Made-for-TV Games Raise Questions About What’s Right For High Schools”. For years I’ve been asking the question, and finally the national media is getting it!

Now, let’s get one thing straight, I am completely in love with the thought of a big high school football game, but not in the name of money.

I was raised in eastern Pennsylvania in Wilson Borough, which doesn’t even have its own post office. Wilson has its own government, fire and police departments, but most people think of us as part of Easton, which happens to have the second most wins in Pennsylvania high school football history. Easton’s also the fourth place where the Declaration of Independence was read back in 1776.

Yes, we’ve been around for a while. I was raised on tradition. And believe it or not, ESPN, you CAN’T manufacturer tradition.

In fact, the World Sports Leader has come to my town twice to televise our Turkey Day showdown between Easton and Phillipsburg. The last time that The Mouse stopped by was Thanksgiving 2006 for the 100th meeting between the two schools that are separated only by the Delaware River. It’s Pennsy versus Jersey; it’s the Battle for the Forks of the Delaware Trophy.

Every year, over 15,000 show-up for the Border War, and to use a cliché, “it doesn’t matter what the records are!” The game is so big that it has to be played at Lafayette College, but ESPN and all of its cameras and “Big Time” announcers have NEVER EVER been able to capture what this is game is all about.

It’s about the fabric of two communities and its people!

Recently, in two out of the three seasons, both of these schools have been the best in their respective states, playing deep into the post-season. What that means is that both schools had to play a Friday or Saturday playoff game, then turn around and play their annual Turkey Day battle six days later, and then turn around and play another state playoff game two days later!! Three football games nine days!!

Talk of canceling the Thanksgiving Day game or resting starters? Might as well have your tongue cut out because there’s no such talk like that allowed!!

Now fast forward to the USA Today article focusing on Saturday’s “Made-for-TV match-up between the papers two top-ranked teams Southlake Carroll from Texas and Northwestern from Miami.

The broadcast was on ESPNU, which you may or may not know really isn’t a juggernaut, with only 20 million households actually able to have a shot at seeing the network. FYI…ESPN is seen in 94 million households Actually the matchmaker isn’t ESPN; it’s Paragon Marketing out of Chicago, which has spent a number of years trying to pull a LeBron on the sport of high school football.

Yes, Paragon is the company that brought us those King James’ games when he was plying his trade at his tiny Ohio high school. I’ve spoken with this company in the past, and they’ll tell you there’s no money in this.

Yeah right! Nike…Gatorade…State Farm as sponsors??

I’m sure there’s no money in it for Paragon or ESPN, and I’m sure that both companies are busy right now filing their applications for their 501 C 3 non-profit status!!

I can tell you this, there is no money in it for the high schools involved. All teams that are a part of Paragon’s Made-for-TV schedule are paid a token amount. How’s about $500 to $1,000 sound?

What’s the point of all of this?

Well, first-and-foremost, I don’t want this sport to be b******* by the greed of Corporate America. There are 1.3 million high school football players in this country, and out of that number only 2,900 are what are called “blue chippers” (Division I-A prospects), which are circled by vultures like Rivals.com and Scout.com.

Yes, there is a time and a place for big time college football and its chat boards, but what ESPN and Paragon miss is the great part of high school football is the fabric of communities big and small that support the sport.

I guarantee you that last Friday night’s match-up between Chicago Catholic Schools St. Rita and Mt. Carmel had more energy than every Made-for-TV match-up combined this year.

My girlfriend and myself ventured to Canton, Ohio for the Kirk Herbstreit Ohio Vs. USA Challenge III earlier this month. I was excited to see Poly (Long Beach, CA) play Ohio’s own Glenville. What a dead crowd, which contributed to a boring game. There was no reason for these two to get riled-up over each other, other than the fact that USA Today said both were in the Top 15 in the nation…. PLEASE!

I will tell you that the night before Ohio Vs. USA, we stopped in Monroeville, Ohio and saw real passion for a Week 2 showdown between backyard rivals Monroeville and Edison. The place was packed, the fans pumped, the bands and the cheerleaders were into it…there was no need for Paragon and company to show-up…they would only have messed it up!!

Secondly, I can’t believe that Paragon and ESPN didn’t pull the plug on this one after learning that Northwestern had almost shutdown it’s entire program a couple of months ago over a serious criminal case involving its star running back on the Bulls 2006 state championship team.

The case centers on senior Antwain Easterling, who had consensual sex after a game with a 14-year old freshman girl on the floor of a school bathroom. School authorities failed to notify police when they learned of the incident weeks later, even though they assured the girl’s mother that they had.

According to a Miami-Dade County grand jury report, he Miami-Dade County State Police only learned of the incident during a chance encounter between officers and the girl’s mother in December. Then on December 9, 2006, two days before the state championship game, Easterling was charged with lewd and lascivious battery on a minor.

How did Northwestern officials act? Well, school policy states that a student arrested on a felony charge should be suspended for at least 10 days or expelled. Northwestern’s decision, let Easterling play in the state title game where he rushed for 157 yards and a TD in Northwestern’s 34-14 against Altamonte Springs Lake.

Only after the ugly stuff became public did school officials act. The district suspended 21 employees. Head coach Roland Smith and his staff was let go, and there was thought of suspending the 2007 season.

Hah! Not with Paragon signed-on to do The Showdown!!

Paragon should have stepped-up and shut this down!! No questions asked…it would have been the right thing to do!!

In the end, Paragon and ESPN should be called on the carpet for letting this match-up continue. I’m not a bleeding heart liberal who says don’t support the sponsors, but at least think about the ramifications of what Paragon and ESPN are doing to this sport…especially since neither is making a profit on ANY of this!!

Don’t watch the Paragon broadcasts. Go take-in a local game in your area and enjoy the bands and the cheerleaders. Support your state athletic associates that prohibit out of state travel.

Jeff

By Brian

September 21, 2007 11:53 AM | Link to this

Sorry, but I’ve been out of town for a few days w/o internet access!

I contend that there is nothing like a Friday night during football season. To hear the National Anthem played (most times off key) before the game sets the stage. Since 9/11, this has become much more important to me. Then the teams take the field. As many of you have posted, these players are taking the field for the love of the game. Yes, some are college prospects, but the majority will never play another down after they graduate.

That being said, there is nothing like a Saturday afternoon at Sanford Stadium (or probably any collegiate stadium).

I cannot state that one is more fun than the other. From my perspective, they are mutually exclusive.

I am a high school official and enjoy every minute of it. I appreciate the fact that the players sacrifice a lot in order to be a part of Friday nights. I would encourage everyone to attend a high school game. The atmosphere is electric. Yes, some games are “better” than others regarding the points scored or the varying abilities of the players. I challenge everyone to go to a “non-headline” game. You may find yourself watching a 14-13 game that goes down to the wire. No matter the score, just take a moment to appreciate the effort these players put forth. The guard that makes a fantastic block should get the same accolades (if not more) as the star running back scoring on a 70 yard run. Or watch for the “smaller” defensive player fighting off blocks or making a great tackle. It happens in every game on every Friday night.

I cannot think of any place I would rather be than officiating a high school game on a Friday night!

By meeeee

September 21, 2007 3:20 PM | Link to this

i love seeing players that arent spoiled (for the most part) arguing with managers about money and all that crap. they just go out to play and to represent thier school

By richard nibblar

September 21, 2007 7:16 PM | Link to this

yeah state championship games that end in a tie. that’s really great isn’t it? crowning 2 state champs, what a waste. i guess the old saying a tie is like kissing your sister is no big deal in the south.

By Jeff Haws

September 21, 2007 8:49 PM | Link to this

No ties anymore, richard.