If you find yourself tired of NIL, players hitting the transfer portal when the going gets tough and a lack of fight in college football teams, I encourage you to watch your local high school football team on Friday nights. High School football remains pure and true to the spirit of the game. 

It’s the love of the game that brings young children to the sidelines to serve as managers, water boys and ball boys. Coaches who give up hours upon hours to pour into young men and players who grind through a season. 

High school football has a special ability to bring communities together. One storyline readers should keep an eye on is the Enterprise football team as they will play out the rest of their season down a man. 

Enterprise is already in the midst of a special season. The team is a group of brothers who play with everything they have and I am rooting for them to go far in 1A action. They have won games against all three Lincoln County schools. Adversity hit them in a way no high school player should ever feel, the loss of one of their brothers. I suspect it will be a rallying point for the team in the weeks and years to come. 

High school football is more than just two football teams battling it out. It would not be the same without the marching bands that breathe life into the action. 

Don’t believe me, go to a game where neither school had a band program and you will see how much is missing. 

Band students work hard to master their instrument. The radio is the only musical instrument I play so I have a respect for people who can play musical instruments. 

I’ve only seen Bogue Chitto and Wesson’s bands march this year and they sure are impressive. 

Loyd Star’s band is an interesting story. They have experienced the turnover of several band directors over the past few years. The marching Hornets deserve support and stability in the program. 

While I haven’t seen Brookhaven High’s band perform yet, I know they have a high standard and I can usually hear them from the office if the Ole Brook game is running late. 

I can never get enough of the stories, passion and sense of community which high school football is composed of. I’ve been that way for a long time. 

My addiction to high school football probably started when former Auburn coach Gus Malzahn was coaching Springdale High School and Mitch Mustain was having to choose between Alabama and Arkansas. 

I would go to school the next week and write a story about the game or at least what I remembered at that age, which wasn’t much. 

If you are looking for something to do on Friday Nights, find the nearest high school football field and support these local kids. If you have a kid take them with you, they may grow up to be a football player or a sportswriter. It all starts with a love for the game and that is what high school football is all about.