Show pride, not your nasty side
Jeremy Heath

The primitive nature of high school football isn't always restricted to the field of play.

In fact, the most primitive aspects of it often take place in the stands.

The stands at a high school football game. That's typically where you'll find parents of players complaining about the politics behind why little Johnny doesn't get enough playing time. It's always politics. It's never because little Johnny skips out of drills in practice, doesn't always finish his weightroom workouts or just isn't as good as the player starting in front of him.

The stands at a high school football game. That's typically where you'll find know-it-alls second-guessing and insulting coaches -- to put it nicely -- often within earshot of those coaches' wives and children. It's always the coaches' fault. It's never because the kids on the field are making too many mistakes or don't have the same talent as does the opponent.

The stands at a high school football game. That's typically where you'll find irrational fans screaming at officials because of calls that appeared to be correct -- or at least explainable -- to everyone in the stadium with any kind of grip on reality. It's always the officials. It's never because the team's lack of execution in previous situations put it in a position for one call to make a difference in the game.

Basically, the stands are where you'll find throngs of what are in any other circumstance productive citizens -- often church-going, business-owning civic leaders -- acting like fools.

Why? Whether they realize it or not, many high school football fans act like fools on Friday nights because they can't control their primal nature. And a high school football game on its basal level creates the most primitive prospect for any two communities: our gene pool vs. your gene pool.

If you ask me, high school football is one of America's most incredible inventions. The absence of salaries, scholarships and a forprofit governing body makes most aspects of it pure and, for lack of a better word, beautiful. It pits two groups of coaches and two groups of young men in a simple competition. At least, that's what it's supposed to do.

For this proud community, the 2007 season starts tonight. That makes tonight the first opportunity for Lampasas coaches, players and fans to project their true character on a larger scale.

Wear Blue. Be loud. Be proud. Be civilized.

*

Hays on the Spread: In the Dispatch Record's Fall Sports Preview, which is included in this edition, there is a feature story on the Spread offense.

I had tried to contact Baylor University offensive coordinator Lee Hays to help me provide additional insight to our readers. Obviously, his schedule is tight this time of year, and his response was just a little late to be included in the story. But Hays, who learned the system from Texas Tech head coach Mike Leach's coaching staff, did respond.

He had some interesting thoughts.

Hays said the most important component to successfully running the system is a consistent offensive line. He also said it's not as complicated as it looks. He runs the same few plays over and over again but from different formations.

On the prospect that the Spread could one day become defunct because of the number of defensive coaches across the country scheming to stop it: "Football always changes, but I think we will always see some version of the Spread -- just like the Wishbone. The one thing that will never change in football is that you have to block and tackle to win."

Well said, coach. Thanks.