Where I come from (Scott County), we didn’t have high school football. But where there is high school football, it’s a big community event.

Just look at Elm Street at Brownstown lined with campers and tailgaters, kids playing football near the field and lots of people cheering from the stands.

Then look at Seymour and the people in the parking lot tailgating before the game and then entering Bulleit Stadium ready to cheer on the Owls.

When the two schools collide on the football field, it’s another ball game. In fact, that’s not limited to football–it’s for every sport.

A lot of people look at it as “the big rivalry,” and that was revived only a few years ago after a several-decade absence. It was pitted “Jackson Bowl” last year, and I’ve seen it called “Battle at the Bulleit” this year. The big thing last year was Brownstown winning for the first time in the teams’ eight meetings. That was a back-and-forth game that was exciting to watch, and it was pure high school football.

When I talked to both coaches, Reed May (BC) and Jeff Richey (Seymour), about this week’s game, I got a new perspective on the game, and it’s one I think all people should consider.

While it’s a great money-maker for whichever school hosts it and it draws lots of people, it’s really just another high school football game. Both coaches said they want their players focused on the game–not what goes on in the community (i.e., talk about who’s going to win this year and who won last year, etc.) or the fact that it’s a rivalry game or what each team’s record is. When you get down to it, it really is just another game (as is the case in any sport).

I like that perspective, and I think it’s good the coaches choose not to overhype it all. It’s nice to see the stands full of people and people standing all around watching the game, but it’s another thing to see the players play hard and do their best. No one wants to see trash talk and bullying about who’s winning or going to win. It’s just a game, people. Like Coach Richey said, it’s not the Super Bowl, it’s high school football. I like that perspective.

When the players take the field, I would like to see them play to the best of their ability and do their best to represent their school. That’s what it’s all about, on the field and off the field.

I think that’s what we’ll see on Friday, and I’m sure all of the players and coaches would like to see you there. Whether you’re a football fan or not, just coming out and supporting these high school players is a good thing to do. Maybe it will give you a new perspective, too.

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