This time on the Plutopia podcast, we investigate Texans’ love affair with high school football.

Football culture… Capture the energy of high school football in Texas, and you could power a planet. A view of Texas from space on any Friday night in-season could be blinding – those Friday night lights at football stadiums across the state. We talked about the game and the culture on Plutopia Live, Thursday, 2/15/2024.

An urban legend claims the best time to commit burglary in an average Texas town is on a Friday night during a high school football game!

In Texas, high school football isn’t just a sport; it’s a way of life. Friday night lights illuminate small towns and big cities alike as communities gather to support their local teams. High school football games often draw large crowds and foster a sense of community pride.

However there’s a decline in football participation, particularly in high school. This decline is attributed to concerns about the harmful effects of concussions and sub-concussive hits, potentially causing brain damange in some cases, leading many parents to keep their kids away from tackle football as a safety precaution.

Changing demographics, athletic specialization, and the rise of non-sanctioned activities like club sports are also potential causes for the slumping involvement in football and other traditional sports.

Originally webcast February 15, 2023 – on the weekly Plutopia News Network Livestream at YouTube.

Photo: Keith Johnston, Unsplash