More to High School Football than what we talk about...

[1227Elevation]

I really enjoy following along with the forum here and appreciate all of your passion and insight about northern California high school football. This year, the team that I know best, Placer, is doing great and could go far. And that's a lot of what's discussed here: how far teams can go and who they can dominate and beat at the state level. I've also seen how it's the Open and Division 1 schools that are thought to be supreme and the smaller schools aren't generally thought to be as relevant. Winning the Open or the Division 1 state game is the pinnacle and what's most worthy--at least that's what I gather from reading this board.

However...

When it comes to the kids and the communities and the teams, I don't think that's their sole focus. Evidence of that is how fired up Auburn is and the Placer kids are about this rivalry game against Lincoln tomorrow. They care a lot about this game. Even though from a playoff perspective it doesn't really matter. Placer has already won a share of the FVL and will have a bye in the Sac Joaquin Div 3 playoffs. But they are not thinking about that. They want to beat Lincoln and I know Lincoln really wants to beat them. Both teams and communities are super excited about tomorrow's game!

I'm not sure why I'm starting this thread, except maybe to offer some perspective. Not every team can be a De La Salle or a Folsom. Most players are not going to play beyond high school. But many many high school teams and kids and coaches work super hard and care an awful lot about what they are doing on the field every week. It's impressive and valuable and worthy. And so cheers to them and all of the teams finishing up their regular seasons tomorrow and looking ahead to the playoffs. It's all exciting! And I'm glad to read all of your thoughts about it here!

 

[rocknrolus 12]

I really enjoy following along with the forum here and appreciate all of your passion and insight about northern California high school football. This year, the team that I know best, Placer, is doing great and could go far. And that's a lot of what's discussed here: how far teams can go and who they can dominate and beat at the state level. I've also seen how it's the Open and Division 1 schools that are thought to be supreme and the smaller schools aren't generally thought to be as relevant. Winning the Open or the Division 1 state game is the pinnacle and what's most worthy--at least that's what I gather from reading this board.

However...

When it comes to the kids and the communities and the teams, I don't think that's their sole focus. Evidence of that is how fired up Auburn is and the Placer kids are about this rivalry game against Lincoln tomorrow. They care a lot about this game. Even though from a playoff perspective it doesn't really matter. Placer has already won a share of the FVL and will have a bye in the Sac Joaquin Div 3 playoffs. But they are not thinking about that. They want to beat Lincoln and I know Lincoln really wants to beat them. Both teams and communities are super excited about tomorrow's game!

I'm not sure why I'm starting this thread, except maybe to offer some perspective. Not every team can be a De La Salle or a Folsom. Most players are not going to play beyond high school. But many many high school teams and kids and coaches work super hard and care an awful lot about what they are doing on the field every week. It's impressive and valuable and worthy. And so cheers to them and all of the teams finishing up their regular seasons tomorrow and looking ahead to the playoffs. It's all exciting! And I'm glad to read all of your thoughts about it here!

I too enjoy local football. I have no issues with the schools that stockpile kids from out of their school district. But me personally enjoy the Placer's and Hilmar, Escalon ,Ripon and Oakdale's biggest rival Sonora. The Sonora v Oakdale game every year. Now it has lost a little since they are no longer in our league,and not the last game. Now I love the Corral. But Dunlavy Field is special. You have to experience it you just can't explain it. Small town football at it's best!

 

[Bubba3000]

Most high school teams are lucky to have one or two that move on and play D1 football. To me high school football is more about community and the Jimmy's and Joe's that don't move on to play college football.

 

[playsomeball]

BiIG BIG game at the Corral tonight against CC. If Oakdale pulls off a win they tie with Manteca and CC for a league title. If not, CC sole winner of league. Besides losing to Folsom at the Corral last season, Oakdale has not lost a home game in 5 years before that at home. Let's hope the Corral brings us some good juju. Our Frosh team just beat CC last night 42-14. They beat Jesuit 2 weeks prior 28-7. Frosh team had an undefeated season. Like Rock said, future looks good for our Mustangs. Mustang born Mustang bred going to be a Mustang till the day I'm dead.

 

[FBAddict]

Evidence of that is how fired up Auburn is and the Placer kids are about this rivalry game against Lincoln tomorrow. They care a lot about this game. Even though from a playoff perspective it doesn't really matter. Placer has already won a share of the FVL and will have a bye in the Sac Joaquin Div 3 playoffs. But they are not thinking about that. They want to beat Lincoln and I know Lincoln really wants to beat them. Both teams and communities are super excited about tomorrow's game!

Playoff games are fun aspirations and teams will work hard to reach the highest level possible. But as you point out, the rival games are sometimes the most meaningful games of the season. Rival games are where upsets are most likely to happen. And rival games really get a team fired up. Playoff games usually have a lot of unknowns involved, but rival games are very comfortable (hope you understand what I mean) in expectations. Rival games usually bring the very best out of an underdog team. Rival games can be chatted about by fans, community members and friends.
I remember our rival games when I was in school eons ago. And I remember my kids rival games - often we got to know the supporters of the opponent team with friendly banter back and forth. Thanks for the post 1227Elevation.

 

[FBAddict]

BiIG BIG game at the Corral tonight against CC. If Oakdale pulls off a win they tie with Manteca and CC for a league title. If not, CC sole winner of league. Besides losing to Folsom at the Corral last season, Oakdale has not lost a home game in 5 years before that at home. Let's hope the Corral brings us some good juju. Our Frosh team just beat CC last night 42-14. They beat Jesuit 2 weeks prior 28-7. Frosh team had an undefeated season. Like Rock said, future looks good for our Mustangs. Mustang born Mustang bred going to be a Mustang till the day I'm dead.

Great example of a rival game!

 

[smashmouthrick]

...
I'm not sure why I'm starting this thread, except maybe to offer some perspective.
...!

You are writing about it because like most of us you have passion for the game of football(best sport on the planet IMO) and community and team pride.

While the big dogs get a lot of air time in the media there is no shortage in passion/pride for most of the rest of our communities/teams. Go to a small community game i.e. East Nicolaus game or a Colfax game and while those communites are smaller than the D1/D2 school communities they have as much if not more community support.

Lincoln(Lincoln) HS stadium will be rocking tonight! Go Hillman!

 

[Marcskit]

I really enjoy following along with the forum here and appreciate all of your passion and insight about northern California high school football. This year, the team that I know best, Placer, is doing great and could go far. And that's a lot of what's discussed here: how far teams can go and who they can dominate and beat at the state level. I've also seen how it's the Open and Division 1 schools that are thought to be supreme and the smaller schools aren't generally thought to be as relevant. Winning the Open or the Division 1 state game is the pinnacle and what's most worthy--at least that's what I gather from reading this board.

However...

When it comes to the kids and the communities and the teams, I don't think that's their sole focus. Evidence of that is how fired up Auburn is and the Placer kids are about this rivalry game against Lincoln tomorrow. They care a lot about this game. Even though from a playoff perspective it doesn't really matter. Placer has already won a share of the FVL and will have a bye in the Sac Joaquin Div 3 playoffs. But they are not thinking about that. They want to beat Lincoln and I know Lincoln really wants to beat them. Both teams and communities are super excited about tomorrow's game!

I'm not sure why I'm starting this thread, except maybe to offer some perspective. Not every team can be a De La Salle or a Folsom. Most players are not going to play beyond high school. But many many high school teams and kids and coaches work super hard and care an awful lot about what they are doing on the field every week. It's impressive and valuable and worthy. And so cheers to them and all of the teams finishing up their regular seasons tomorrow and looking ahead to the playoffs. It's all exciting! And I'm glad to read all of your thoughts about it here!

Elevation,
Truth be told, the big boys get 90 percent of the talk, but represent 10% of the games.
You have hundreds of small schools who have their community rivalry's. Up here in the deep hills and hollows of the North Section, tonight we were treated to the Almond Bowl. Always a
Packed house. The kids could loose every game of the year. Come bowl time, and it is the super bowl, state championship rolled into one. Fun stuff. Kids play to kill each other , yet are cross town friends during the rest of the year.

Here's wishing you great football.

 

[1227Elevation]

Thanks, everyone! And wow was it a crazy, intense rivarly game. Placer won but it was not easy. Lincoln knows them well after playing in the same league for so many years and they had a great game plan. Exciting ending to the regular season!