Friday night football games are an essential part of American high school culture. The games are a staple for students to end the week and celebrate their school spirit. If this has been the case for decades, how come students are leaving the games early at the halftime mark?
In recent years, the student section at home football games has been lively for the first few quarters but tends to be less full after the halftime break. Monte Vista students are paying an average of $5 per game, so many people are left confused as to why the stands tend to clear out.
To provide insight into this trend, varsity football coach John Millard shared his perspective in an interview. Millard shared how students leaving at halftime impacts his players.
“[The football players] notice, and I think it affects morale. We try to teach them to be focused regardless of circumstances, but a crowd that brings energy definitely improves the experienced energy of the football team,” Millard said.
While the team focuses on the plays at hand, the student section influences their attitude. Millard shared that Monte Vista continuously plays in one of the toughest and most competitive high school football leagues in Northern California. Given the team’s rigorous practice and training schedule, hearing the support of the crowd makes all that hard work seem worthwhile.
Not only does a smaller student section affect the team’s morale, but it may affect its overall performance.
“We encourage the student section to get loud when we’re on defense and in between plays when we are on offense,” Millard said. “It can be a big advantage for us. Momentum and energy on Friday nights are some of the most authentic things you can not see but can absolutely feel as a player, coach, and fan. Then fans, band, and cheer are the heartbeat of Friday nights.”
Students leave football games at halftime for a variety of reasons. A student who frequently does this at home football games told their perspective.
“My friends and I stay for about half the game before we leave to go out or get food. I really only go with my friends, not to watch the game,” an anonymous student said.
While students hope to beat the traffic following the end of the game or go home at the end of a long week, Coach Millard wants to remind students that football games are more than just the sport itself.
“Friday night is not about the football team, it is about the entire community of Monte Vista, which is what makes it special,” Millard said. “My favorite thing about this game is that it is bigger than all of us. We want everyone to share the experience and have great memories to look back on.”
The next time you contemplate leaving a football game early, remember that your high school years are limited. Thus, you only have so many Friday nights to experience before you move on to the next chapter of your life. Coach Millard hopes to inspire students to be present, enjoy, and support the team during their games.
