This article will appear in the September issue of Tucson Sport Magazine.

I’ve always enjoyed Kevin Costner’s 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. While I think it exists for the most part in collegiate athletics, too 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 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 that look as if daily manicures are mandatory. 

That, unfortunately, leads me into this thought. The state of Arizona does not exactly break the bank when it comes to high school athletics and scholastic 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, Arizona does become as big in high schools sports as, oh, Texas or Ohio or Florida or Pennsylvania or California. And I will say it has been very pleasing to the eye to see Tucson High and Cienega adopt the field turf that’s been a huge hit at every level of football. Salpointe Catholic is not too 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 pleased to cover as much high school football as possible. A friend once told me that high school sports should drive every community. We have a long way 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 there are 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. 

That’s why HSGAMETIME.com is so exciting to me. The chance for athletes, parents and fans of each school to get online and make their voice heard is a thrilling prospect. It can only add to the popularity of high school sports, to school spirit and to community pride.

So get out and support. I promise you’ll have a good feeling and your kid- maybe not the day after- but someday will thank you for being there 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.

Vinnie Vinzetta is Sports Director at FOX 11. He can be seen on any given Friday on the sidelines of a high school football game somewhere in Southern Arizona, and then after that on the FOX 11 Sports Force talking about it.