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5:45 a.m. • 2-12-12

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WRAL.com High School Sports correspondent Nick Stevens.

High School Sports

WRAL.com's prep sports correspondent Nick Stevens talks about the latest topics in High School Sports, gives his opinion, and listens to yours. You can contact Nick by sending an e-mail to stevens@ncsportsreport.com, or by sending an AIM Instant Message to PrepSportsNick.

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App State Headed to National Title Game

The real deal with Friday night games

I've already stated my opinion about Appalachian State's Friday night football game, but I don't think people understand it fully.

Over the last week or so, I have talked to people on the phone, through e-mail, and read your comments on WRAL.com. I've also read what people have to say on other sites, message boards, and blogs.

My opinion remains unchanged.

Appalachian fans have e-mailed me, asking why I, as a member of the media in Raleigh, care so much about what is going on some five hours away in Boone. It's pretty simple. Appalachian State may be a ways away, but N.C. State is just down the road, Duke and North Carolina are an arms length away, East Carolina isn't too far, and neither is Wake Forest. Don't forget about all of the smaller schools in our area.

That is the problem. Appalachian State is one school, but there are so many other schools in our area, and in our state, who would love the chance to be the only nationally televised game one night.

And that is what the N.C. High School Athletic Association is worried about -- this becoming a trend.

Ask yourself this: Could you see a day when we have a Friday night football game every week, just like we see on Thursday night for college and Monday night for NFL? I certainly can, and it's disturbing.

Now, I have had so many different arguments thrown at me, I've been called a few names that I would get in trouble for using, and still, my opinion remains the same.

Argument 1: Not all high schools in the country play on Friday night. Some play on Saturday.

Not in North Carolina. Not in South Carolina. Not in Georgia. Not in Tennessee. Not in Virginia. Not in most states. Those schools are in the minority. Not many people play high school football on Saturday.

Ahhh, I know what you're thinking: Not many colleges play on Friday night. And you're right. Not many do. But not many colleges play on Thursday night, and not many NFL teams play on Monday night, but every team dreams of having one of those games. Why? Because you get the national spotlight - by yourself.

That is what Friday night games are headed towards.

Argument 2: This will help bring attention to App State, the High Country, and North Carolina football.

This is what the Appalachian State athletic department said on their web site last Monday when they announced their Friday night ESPN2 game

Bottom line is this: No it won't. Any possible recruits that you may be targeting - except those at Watauga High School - are going to be playing high school football while you're playing Wofford. It would even be difficult to sell the pitch that "ASU plays on national television." Why? Because it's not one of the mainstream days (Saturday or Thursday), and its not a regular occurrence. Plus, how much more recognition can you get after winning three straight National Championships and beating Michigan on the road?

Argument 3: Appalachian State isn't governed by the NCHSAA, so they can do whatever they want.

Yeah, they can. They've proven that now, haven't they?

Here's what will hurt them. Recruiting. Coaches in North Carolina gave East Carolina the cold shoulder when they scheduled their Friday night game several years ago, and now they should do the same to Appalachian State. Equal is equal and fair is fair.

Argument 4: It's one night, and high schools won't lose too much money to people who want to watch this game.

Those of you who make this argument have usually followed it up with something like, "Plus, who cares about high school football anyway?" That's just it. You don't know anything about high school football.

High school athletic departments are run off of gate and concessions at football games. That means sports like golf, track & field, baseball, softball, cross country, soccer, and lacrosse wouldn't be in existence without football. High schools fight tooth and nail to break even, and football is a big part of that.

By the way, ESPN2 isn't broadcasting this game because they want to help Appalachian State in recruiting, or because they want to showcase the High Country, they're broadcasting this game because they think they can make some money and get some viewers. If ESPN2 didn't think people would watch this game, we wouldn't even be having this conversation.

People will watch this game, and it will hurt high school football attendance.

Sure, it may not hurt it as badly in the eastern part of the state as it does in the western part of the state, but in high school sports, every dollar counts. It's kind of like the gas tax holiday we hear politicians talking about. Sure, it may be only $30, but hey, if I can save $30, I'd love it!

This is just a few of the arguments I have heard, and still, my mind hasn't changed at all. In fact, I feel stronger about it now than I did when I first learned about the Friday night game.

Appalachian State has alienated high school football coaches and players in North Carolina, and they will likely have some consequences because of it.

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So the "Democrat" got it wrong? The NCHSAA, Charlie Adams & the coaches from Freedom & Wautauga didn't sign off? Kinda ruins your opinion of the media doesn't it?

Coach, thanks for stepping up and explaining your position. I can say with almost 100% certainty no ASU alums or fans want this to be a regular thing. I think what we were concerned with is that ASU was being singled out for this one decision and to be punished by high school coaches for agreeing to play this game. Your original post on the "Friday Nights Getting Croweded" blog April 30th where you stated you hoped ASU gets waxed regularly and encouraged LSU to go for 100 in the opening game to me seemed a little strong. I hope this was more of a initial reaction and not what you really feel being a person of influence on high school athletes.

I never intended for anyone to get the impression that I did not think App State fans were not entitled to their opinion or that they were unable to read. They certainly are entitled, and don't have to agree with me. However, I was emailed by tshel and others attacking me for supposedly saying App State couldn't recruit on our campus, which I never said. Those are the people I was referring to. App State has a great program, great coaches, and is a great school. As I told tshel, I took 85 players there last summer to camp--my choice. I traveled to Atlanta and Charlotte last year to hear them speak. I have great respect for Coach Moore and his entire staff. However, App State is, in my opinion, the opinion of the NCCA, and the opinion of the NCHSAA, wrong about this. In my view, for the coaches association, which is opposed to this, to have them as the featured speakers at this year's clinic sends the message that it's ok for them to play this game on Friday. That's it.

“We’re very appreciative to Watauga High School principal Angela Quick and athletics director Lavell Hall, as well as North Carolina High School Athletic Association executive director Charlie Adams, for their support in giving us the opportunity to showcase Appalachian, the High Country and North Carolina football to the nation,” ASU athletic director Charlie Cobb said. “We’re looking forward to providing our fans a festive atmosphere combining Mountaineer football and traditional Halloween activities for the whole family.” http://www.wataugademocrat.com/2008/0428/0430asuwatauga.php

If you believe the "Democrat" it appears that App took the necessary steps (prudently, courteously & respectfully) before they made a commitment. That being said, Friday IS for HS football. It's what gives many communities a sense of pride and togetherness. Now since it's been suggested that the App coaching staff be chatised for this "abomination", who is going to lead the charge against Wof

Nick it was not DI then DIAA as you keep saying. It was instead DIA and DIAA. This is a perfect example of why the NCAA changed the names to FBS and FCS. By saying DI when talking about the ACC, SEC, Big East, ect. it automatically gives off the perception that schools in I-AA are D2. I can't tell you how many times people unassociated with a I-AA school told me when they heard "Double A" they thought it meant D2. The main reason the named changed is because all of our other sports got labeled as I-AA as well even though they are all just D1.

Sean I understand your frustration but to crucify HS football in that manner would be stooping to the same level. No one wants HS football to be shunned. The argument for ASU is to get a small program national publicity w/out being penalized by HS coaches who feel this game is wrong.

Televising HS football games doesn't take away from college football in the same way that I believe friday college games don't take away from HS football. True fans will be in attendance no matter what.

I also understand that IF this becomes a trend in the state of NC, it has the POTENTIAL for hurting HS gates. However, I do not see this as a trend (2 games in 6 years???). Those in support of HS football want to take pre-emptive action to stop it from becoming a trend but I believe the coaches can find other alternatives besides hindering recruiting. A more diplomatic approach, such as airing your disagreements w/ the ASU coaches at the NCHSAA conference/clinic, would be a better solution...IMO.

If we dedicated each night to a different level of a different sport, you wouldn't see your team play for nearly a year.....anyone who is b*tching about a Friday night game that happens once every few years needs to shut up. There are what 15 weeks in the regular season of college football, only one game appears on Friday nights, out of 50 states, at most involving two states, and we are going to complain about it. If that's the case, I hope ESPN never televises another high school game, ever. If high schools are going to whine and b*tch about a small college getting publicity, then screw them. Don't put them on, and get USA Today to stop running national polls on the best teams. That'll teach them to whine about a game that happens once every 2 or 3 years, max.

won't agree*

Until then I will agree...and I even if all 3 of those things are true it is still totally wrong to limit a kid's options in any way. This is what's got us ASU fans steaming...the thought that people would actually do that to prove a political point is really sad...I really don't know how you guys can't see how that is wrong

I agree as well...I don;t think anyone is willing to change their stance on this issue. I know I won't unless you can provide some kind of hard evidence to show me that a)this actually hurts the gates on Halloween b)show me a player that feels that ASU has insulted or turned their back on them in any way c)show me where this is a trend in NC Until then....

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