A Friday Night Lights Confession

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

High school football is right around the corner!

Now hold-on, I haven't lost my mind!  And, I'm not talking about spring practice.

The imaginary high school football season in the town of Dillon, Texas on NBC's Friday Night Lights kicks-off April 30th, and I for one couldn't be more excited!  And, yes, I know that Season 4 of FNL has already aired on DirectTV.

But, for those of us without a dish, we can't wait to see what happens as Eric Taylor (actor Kyle Chandler) takes over the reigns of newly re-opened East Dillon High School.

And, as a matter of full disclosure, I'm a recent convert to this great drama that seems to always have the specter of TV executives holding an ax over its head because of a lack of ratings.

Check-out my Friday Night Lights confession on my High School Football America Blog.

So, with the Season 4 season opener about five weeks away, check-out a behind-the-scenes video shot for DirectTV.

It's Official...Coolidge HS Hires Natalie Randolph as Head Football Coach

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

Coolidge High School in Washington D.C. made it official on Friday, hiring Natalie Randolph as its head football coach.

It's believed that Randolph is just the second woman to ever be hired to be a varsity head coach.  As the High School Football Huddle reported Wednesday, the last time it happened was in 1985, but only for one day.

The Associated Press is reporting that Randolph, who was an assistant on the Woodson High School staff from 2006-2008, was chosen from a list of 15 candidates.

The Late Merlin Olsen Left a Big Footprint on a Las Vegas High School Football Rivalry

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

NFL Hall of Famer Merlin Olsen, who passed away yesterday at the age of 69, was a renaissance man.

Aside from being a great football player, Olsen was a first-rate color commentator on NFL broadcasts, a television actor on two popular shows, plus a pitchman for FTD florists.  However, a little known fact that I came across today, is Olsen gave one of his football shoes to two Las Vegas schools back in the early 70's.

That shoe or cleat, has been bronzed and is now part of The Cleat Game.  You can learn more about the game at High School Football America.

Women to be Named Head Coach of Washington D.C. High School Football Team

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

The Washington Post is reporting that Natalie Randolph will become America's second female high school football head football coach Friday when she's scheduled named the new head football coach at Coolidge High in Washington D.C.

While most will think think Randoph will be making history, the Post points out that in 1985, Wanda Oates was named the head football coach at Ballou, but she was removed from the position after one-day on the job because other coaches complained that they didn't want to coach against a woman.

A news conference to announce Randolph as head coach reportedly is scheduled for Friday.

What are your thoughts?

Send High School Football your comments here.

High School Football America™ Announces New Slogan

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

After months of work, I'm proud to announce High School Football America's new slogan...

Small Towns...Big Games™

I really believe the new slogan says it all! Small town football is what we’re all about. Our goal is to travel this great country telling high school football stories that are different from main stream media.

Last season, HSFBA traveled nearly 4,700 miles to eight states to produce video vignettes that appear on the website.

High School Football America has already released videos on Paw Paw, Michigan and Sheridan, Indiana. In the coming weeks, HSFBA will post video vignettes on Miles, Iowa; New London and Norwich, Connecticut; Woodstock, Illinois and Pen Argyl, Pennsylvania...plus many others.