Pigskin pride: Essence of local spirit

When the late summer rains hit the Mat-Su Valley, it means two things are right around the corner — the Alaska State Fair and high school football season.

Both create a holiday-like atmosphere for Mat-Su residents.

While the fair is still nearly two weeks away, today marks the beginning of the local high school football season. At a time when national sports headlines are dominated by millionaire egos and investigations of cheating in the professional ranks, high school athletics are still the best local entertainment value around.

Each of the Valley’s four varsity prep football squads makes its 2008 debut this weekend and will battle on the Alaska gridiron for the next two months with full focus on a spot in the postseason.

Football is the epitome of teamwork and the sport at the prep level encompasses all that is truly good about team sports.

There are values young athletes learn on the field — lessons based on sportsmanship and teamwork, honor and pride — that often carry through a lifetime of being productive members of their communities.

That pride isn’t confined to players who don their school colors. It reaches into the community, the people of the Mat-Su Valley who show support for their local teams.

The greatest example of community spirit often isn’t found at a city council meeting, in a board room or even with a simple drive down one of our Borough highways. It’s at the Friday night game, when student-athletes are playing under the lights and the community cheers them on. It’s evident when the pep squads cheer, bands play and the fans scream. It’s heard every time the “Moose Gooser” fires or every time the metal bleachers at Colony, Palmer, Houston and Wasilla shake when the home team scores a touchdown.

Local prep football games also provide quality entertainment for local families. It’s entertainment that’s affordable. Regular trips to the favorite fishing hole or weekend shopping trips in the big city may be curtailed due to rising energy expenses and the ever-inflating cost of living, but a quick jaunt to the local high school stadium is affordable for all.

With the price of everything from a gallon of gas to a loaf of bread escalating, it is reassuring to know the average family can still have a Friday night out. For a few bucks at the admission gate and a few more at the concession stand for a hot dog, some popcorn or a drink, fans can take part in something uniquely American — football on Friday nights.

And the money also goes to a good cause. Proceeds from admission and concessions go right back to local football programs and schools.

That money doesn’t go to a celebrity coach’s bloated salary or to pay for a new Mazarati for a CEO. It goes to ensure future generations of Valley student-athletes can know what it feels like to put on their school colors and play football under the lights on a Friday night.