I’ve always enjoyed Kevin Costner baseball movies; I even fought through every emotion of dislike to somehow partially like “For Love of the Game.”  And if you really think it through that movie title and more importantly that long standing sports phrase holds powerful meaning.  And while I think it exists for the most part in collegiate athletics, to many outside factors to completely convince me, it clearly has both feet firmly on the ground in relation to high school athletics.

Making my rounds around southern Arizona high school football camps this late summer and early fall (it’s not really fall yet people???) just reinvigorates my feeling about school boy football.  Maybe it’s the innocence of it all?  These boys aren’t collecting game checks at the end of day.  And what’s more?  These boys are practicing in conditions equal to that of NFL training camps and for their efforts are rewarded with homework after practice.  Are you with me?  I think you are?

I spent eight years in the state of Texas where every other person will likely agree with you that high school football is the second religion running a close race to church on Sunday.  I’ve seen it at the highest levels.  I’ve seen class 1A and 2A fields that you could eat dinner on, without a plate.  I’ve seen fields class 1A and 2A fields that look as if daily manicures and pedicures are mandatory.  And that, unfortunately, leads me into this thought.  The state of Arizona does not break the bank when it comes to high school athletics and funding in general.  But I give coaches and players every ounce of respect possible for dealing with it and fighting the good fight. 

In my perfect world is a dream that Arizona does become as big in high schools sports as say, oh, Texas or Ohio or Florida or Pennsylvania or California.  And I will say it’s been very pleasing to the eye to see Tucson High and Cienega adopt the recently popular field turf that’s been a huge hit at every level of football.  Salpointe Catholic is not to far away from some gorgeous upgrades of their own.  I say it’s long overdue and I’m thrilled things are happening. 

The FOX11 Sports Force has been equally pleased to cover as much high school football as possible.  A friend once told me that high school sports should and does drive every community.  We have a ways to go, in my opinion, to get Arizona high school football where it needs to be.  However I think that part of the fight is resolved when all of us show enthusiasm and get behind what is happening in southern Arizona high school sports.  Nothing frankly kicks me in the gut more than going to a game where I can see empty seats.  Don’t like it, never have and never will.  It is simply amazing how the feeling in everyone’s heart is kicked up a notch when everyone is involved.  And I mean everyone from player and coach to mom and dad to brother and sister and every friend and relative in between.  So get out and support.  I promise you’ll have a good feeling and your kid, maybe not the day after, someday will thank you hand over fist for being their every step of the way. 

It is high school football season my friends!  Who in the world doesn’t like football?  Yup, I was talking to you.