[Rip/Spin]

I just really want to give a shout out to all the seniors out there that maybe ending their high school football career tomorrow night. A big shout out to all the parents and guardians who have hauled these kids to practices and games over the years so a kid could do what he loves. I know this is not only hard on the kids when their career ends, but on their parents as well. Especially the dads who have played before and take so much pride in watching their sons play. I want to tip my hat to you as a fan of this sport and say thank you for doing what you've done as a player or parent for this great game in our state!

[FootballFan1999]

Well said.

[Spud6]

Great post! Always a sad time of year seeing kids end their football careers. High school football is the greatest time of ones life and those memories and friends are still stories I talk about to this very day. Nothing beats it

[FoSho]

Football is the greatest sport on the planet. The bond it builds between teammates is special. Thank you to ALL of the young men out there who call their teammates "brothers" and lay it on the the line for their school, community, coaches, etc.

Have fun and good luck!!!

🙏🏼

[Jackson Purchase]

Seems unreal now, it's all ending so fast. I watch every play with a torn heart. I still see him at five yrs old wanting to play goal line stand in the hallway. As crazy as it may sound really there wasn't a month of his life we weren't preparing for his high school football. It always meant so much to me. He's worked so hard for everything he's achieved. He ran sprints in full pads during August of his 4th grade year so he could make the weight limit and carry the ball. Lol..... didn't make it. Still played QB and would just scramble around. He's definitely had his glory under the Friday night lights. Blessed he was a 3 yr starter and never got hurt too bad. (Fingers crossed) I don't care what anyone says, nothing comes close to filling the void of playing or watching your blood play. Cherished moments that I will relive till my last breath.

[smoke1015]

Great post, very well said. I will add, to the ones that were injured, either played their senior year at just a portion of their true ability, or were taken out for the year...My heartfelt prayers are with each and every player, especially the seniors who may have had to miss significant, or the majority or all their season. I know our best overall athlete tore his ACL in a scrimmage. He has bought in so hard, loved it so much he's played small minutes since game 4 of the season. I have no doubt we win 2 more ball games, with him. He's that kind of talent. But I know many other teams have a similar story. I can't imagine this myself, as my son never missed a game, and only 1 real practice in his career. That is, of course, pure luck. You seniors injured, just know you gave your all for your teams. Without you they aren't the team they currently are, you earned their respect and their brotherhood for life. I'm sure you know kids who quit, just didn't want to do the hot summer practices anymore. YOU will NOT be labeled in that category amongst your teammates, ever. I hope some of the bad injuries were early and maybe some of these kids can come back for the playoff. I hope college opportunities are out there for many of you. As everyone has already said, this is the best sport on Earth. This is THE best level, in my opinion, to watch this great game! Congrats seniors, play your hearts out tomorrow night

[Patriot1]

My situation is there is a little deference I am the grandfather. I have one that is a senior and one is a freshman. For the senior it’s been a blessing watch you play the game you love. I know it’s going to be tuff that last practice and that last game especially on your mom and dad. Just think of all the great memories you have with your brothers on the team and the friendships and love you guys have for one another. It will never go away. We love you very much. For the freshman enjoy every minute of the practices and games because it will be your senior night before you know it. We love you,too and definitely going to love watching you grow into your own person and player. You have a great future in front of you with your talent and capabilities. Proud of you both couldn’t ask for no better grandsons. Again we love you guys.

[Rip/Spin]

I appreciate the comments from you all! I enjoy reading these more than I do the bickering back and forth. You've guys have shared some good stuff!!!

[99PIRATEFAN]

Well said Brother.

[Bossdaddy 4115]

I went through this last year and the only thing that helped me hold it together was the fact my youngest son is only a sophomore so I still have football. My oldest played football and baseball his entire life, when he got to high school we decided to focus on baseball. After his sophomore year Haddix finally convinced him to come out. He started and had a great year went on to state, next year had a great year and went back to state with his little brother on the team. I regret ever telling him not to play the first two years of high school. It worked out for him he is now playing baseball in college and loving it, but the brotherhood he had in football was like no other. I played in school and never had the success as a team he had, but I enjoy watching my kids more than I ever did playing. This will be the first year in his life that I won’t be able to be at every game in baseball due to all the traveling they do but I know he is prepared and football played a part of that. So now I only hope my youngest has the same experiences oldest had and can maybe continue at the next level also. I feel everyone’s pain, but know there greatest accomplishments are yet to come and that high school football prepared them for those. Good luck to everyone the rest of the way.

[CAN'T GET RIGHT]

Agree 💯 only wish to add we all need to encourage these young men to stay involved. Find where you can help improve the game for the ones behind you. It may be coaching, little league to varsity. It may be running the clock or working the ticket gate or concession stand. Refs are always needed as are donors to booster clubs. Regardless where your niche is (and you can have a few) find it and give back to the game!!

[BobcatForever]

Agree �� only wish to add we all need to encourage these young men to stay involved. Find where you can help improve the game for the ones behind you. It may be coaching, little league to varsity. It may be running the clock or working the ticket gate or concession stand. Refs are always needed as are donors to booster clubs. Regardless where your niche is (and you can have a few) find it and give back to the game!!

Well Said :worthy:

[papagrit]

My last year of having "a dog in the fight" was two years ago, or 2017 with the conclusion of my youngest son's college football career. That ended nineteen consecutive falls that I watched my children play football. From kindergarten to college and it flew by. I've had to go back and watch a few high school games and actually went back to St. Louis to watch a couple of college games where my boys both played and sat with other parents of my boy's teammates. It's nice to go and it helps with the withdrawal from missing it so, but, I'll have to wait a while until I get a grandson and can have another, "dog in the fight" because it just isn't the same. You go and you enjoy, but I just don't have my heart in it as much as when I'm watching my own play.
Best of luck to all of those kids that are playing their last year of football. Also......Good luck to those who are going to move on and play college football as well. It's a different world at that level and the friendships you develop there will last a lifetime.