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.