Small school football

 

As the 2024 football season approaches, I want to say thank you to all of the players, coaches, cheerleaders, band members, officials, and all of the school staff for the good times you are about to give thousands of fans this year.

As a fan and a person who covers games, I often get asked why I go to as many smaller school games as I do, and I always tell those asking that there is something special about driving into a small town or village and seeing signs wishing the team well. The crowds might not be as large as the bigger school games, but to a certain extent, they are more into it. I believe that is because almost everyone knows everyone, and it is really a community by itself.

The players put their pads on the same as the players at the bigger schools, and they, as with the bigger schools, give it their all as much as they can. The biggest difference some will say is talent; others will say size and speed; but more often than not, at a small school, most of the players are playing both ways, and then on some, if not all, of the special teams units. This is not usually the case at the big schools, as their rosters are, in most cases, much larger.

So if you are headed to Delta High School outside of Muncie, Indiana, or heading to New York to watch CSP play, or heading Claysville, Pa. to watch McGuffey or to Millersport, Ohio, to watch the Lakers play, take the time to enjoy what the small town or village has to offer and then cheer a little louder (the players can actually hear you) to let the players know you appreciate their effort, and after the game, make sure to applaud the effort one final time.

Follow me on Twitter at @HEARTLANDFAN15.