Earlier Signing Date for High School Football Players

by Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle

The question of an earlier signing period for high school football players came-up last week during the ACC Football Kickoff, and like everything else these days, supporters say in a bad economy, it's a good idea because it will save money.

The ACC proposes that the National Letter of Intent Signing Day remain in the first week of February, but also adopt a system similar to college basketball. Under the plan, an earlier signing date would be put in place in the third week of December, which actually coincides with the junior college national signing day.

Click here to read a story from the News & Record in Greensboro, North Carolina on how coaches feel about an earlier signing date.

Also, an early signing period is The High School Football Huddle's Question of the Week. Please vote for or against the idea in the top right hand column.

Texas Voted America's Top High School Football State

by Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle

The Lone Star State received the first vote cast in The High School Football Huddle's Question of the Week "What is the Best State for High School Football", and Texas never looked back in claiming the top spot in our voters minds.

Texas captured 42% of the vote to easily outdistanced second place Florida, which received 25% of the votes. Finishing in third was Ohio with 13% of the votes cast...followed by Georgia 10%, California finished in a tie for fifth with 7% each.

Thanks to everyone for taking part in the vote. Look for our new Question of the Week on Monday.

Kentucky High School Football Player Dies

by Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle

It never is easy to write these stories, but it's important to keep focus on the seriousness of what can happen on football fields.

Ft. Campbell (KY) high school player Tim Williams passed away after practice on Wednesday. A report on WKRN says that Williams died after practice and doesn't appear to be heat related since temperatures were in the 70's with rain. Click here to read the story.

My condolences go out to Williams' family, teammates and his school.

Dungy, Manning, Carroll & Irvin Coming to a Theater Near You for HS Football

by Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle

It won't be a Hollywood premiere, but the stars will be shining on August 25th when Tony Dungy's RED ZONE '09 kicks-off the high school football season with a two-hour motivation show that will be shown in over 460 select movie theaters across America.

The former Indianapolis Colts head coach will be joined by three-time National Football League MVP Peyton Manning, Defensive Player of the Year Bob Sanders, Dallas Cowboys Hall of Fame Receiver Michael Irvin, USC Head Coach Pete Carroll and many others during this first-of-its-kind theater event.

Tony Dungy’s RED ZONE ’09 gives athletes unprecedented access to professional coaches and players who will present inside tips on football, the keys to winning at any position, and discuss the importance of hard work, team building, conditioning, skills development and mental toughness. A news release on the event states that regardless of ability level, audiences of all ages will be inspired to work hard, eat right, stay focused and expand their skills – on and off the field.

In addition, USC Coach Carroll will specifically address how parents can help their high school athletes prepare and potentially increase their chances of receiving college athletic scholarships.

To read the news release in its entirety click here

Headlines Inside The Huddle

by Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle

Plenty of new stories throughout The High School Football Huddle network. Check them out by clicking on the links below. If you you a story you want to share with HSFH fans, please email it to jeff@blitzgroupllc.com.

Headlines...

Arizona Huddle: Saguaro & Centennial Working on Active Win Streaks Click here for story.
Oklahoma Huddle: District C-4 Pre-season Notes Click here for story.
Rhode Island Huddle: 2009 Rhode Island High School Football Schedules Click here for story.
Tennessee Huddle: Big Changes in Defending 4A Camp Click here for story.
Virginia Huddle: 2009 Virginia High School Football Schedules Click here for story.

The High School Football Huddle on Facebook & Twitter

by Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle

As I start my third year at the helm of The High School Football Huddle, I'm expanding the ways you can keep-up with news from around America.

The Huddle is now on Facebook and Twitter. Click on the links to keep yourself informed.

The High School Football Huddle on Facebook

Opening Day in Alaska & Tennessee

by Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle

High school football practice officially began in Alaska and Tennessee this morning and there certainly was a contrast in temperatures for two-a-days...Knoxville was in the mid 80's; Anchorage in the mid 60's.

It was the first day with new heat policy instituted by the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association that limits the amount of exposure to high heat indexes. Coaches are required to take players off of the field if the heat index reaches 95 degrees. Click here to read more about the policy from the Tennessean.

All eyes will be on Alcoa that will be going after it's sixth straight state title this fall. Click here to read a story about a quarterback logjam from the Knoxville News.



Here's the 2008 Tennessee high school football champs:

5A- Oakland
4A- Hillsboro
3A- Knoxville Catholic
2A- Alcoa
1A- Troudsdale County
Division II A- Davidson Academy
Division II AA- MUS

Click here for preview capsules from the Nashville area.

Up north, Soldotna will be looking for its fourth straight Alaska Small Schools championship. The Stars can also set a new state record for consecutive victories with a win in the season opener. Soldotna has won 29 straight.

Service is the Big Schools defending champ.

Longest Current Active Losing Streak in High School Football

by Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle

I guess when you post a story about the longest current active win streaks, it only stands to reason that someone would start wondering about the longest active losing streak. Mike posed the question yesterday, and now here's the answer.

The Carl Hayden Falcons in Phoenix, Arizona enters the season with a 64-game losing streak. The last Falcons win came in 2002.

My research found that according to a story on ESPN Rise last year, Carl Hayden became the 15th school with a losing streak of more than 60 games. Glascock County of Georgia had held the dubious record by losing 82 straight between 1990 and 1999, but the team was awarded a forfeit victory in 1997.

Right now, Davis High of Houston, Texas holds the record with 80 straight losses. Sturgis High in South Dakota dodged tying the record with a win in 2006 that snapped the Scoopers 79-game win streak. Click here for that story.