Most high schools only charge a few dollars for admission, and with it you usually get to see a marching band, cheerleaders and, of course, a quality football game.

“High school football in New Hampshire is very good, very exciting,” said Peter Colcord, head football coach for the Manchester Memorial High School. “We have a lot of wide open offenses and lots of scoring,” making it a fun time for spectators. 

Adding to the intensity of the game, he said, is New Hampshire’s small-state status, which makes for a lot of natural rivalries between teams. But rather than causing problems, those rivalries tend to bring communities together. 

Vance Sullivan, varsity head football coach for Manchester West High School, said that high school sports have a unique way of bringing out the best in a town — and in the players.

“The biggest part is not the score…[it’s] watching young boys transform into young men,” Sullivan said. “They play … and understand pressure and learn to deal with it. It’s an eye-opening experience for people to see and watch them deal.” 

Just as the spectators pay attention to the players, the  players pay attention to the crowds.

“The kids notice when people come,” Colcord said. “It shows [them] that the community is behind them. … It makes a difference when we have a big crowd; they feel [the] support.”

One of the best parts for Eric Brown, head football coach at Concord High School, is the atmosphere that surrounds the game. 

“It’s great at Memorial Field,” he said. “We have a bunch of soccer fields [and] on a Friday night you have all kinds of kids running around — fun for all ages.”

If you got change back from your $5 when you got to the field, head to the concession stand for some cheap treats. Most high school teams sell snacks and even “real” foods like pizza or hot dogs. Proceeds often go toward school programs, so there’s a good chance you’re supporting your community’s schools or athletic programs when you buy that candy bar.

 

As seen in the October 16, 2014 issue of the Hippo.