Our Boys Author on NBC's TODAY

by Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle

Joe Drape, author of the new book Our Boys, appeared on the TODAY Show this morning on NBC to promote his wonderful book on the Smith Center Redmen, who captured their fifth straight Kansas 2A football championship. You can learn more about the book at www.joedrape.com.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Coming to a Bookstore Near You...A Great Book on Small-Town High School Football

by Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle

After the hustle-and-bussle of three days in New York City to check-out the screening of my girlfriend Trish Hoffman's big screen debut in the new Joe Otting movie Under New Management, I settled into my airplane seat looking forward to my flight back to Chicago and reading New York Times writer Joe Drape's new book Our Boys, which chronicles the 2008 season of the Smith Center (Kansas) Redmen.

From the moment I began reading Our Boys, I was transported to this tiny town with a population of 1,931 people. Yes, the book is about Smith Center's drive for a fifth straight Kansas Class 2A high school football title, but Drape does an excellent job of weaving Midwest history and culture in-and-out of this great 265-page read.

Personally, as someone who is fascinated with small town football, I could feel Drape's love of the sport and Smith Center's people throughout.

For the book, Drape actually moved his advertising executive wife and young son from NYC to the tiny town that is smack dab in the middle of the United States. That fact alone, hooked me!

Ask Trish, I don't think there's anything more romantic than a Charles Kuralt-like tour of the America's high school football landscape.

Drape set the hook on me on Page 69 when he wrote:

"When we heard sirens here, we did not tune them out as in New York. Our hearts sank because they signaled that somebody we knew had taken ill, or had been in an accident or was in some kind of trouble."

It's that sort of dig into the community's soul that Drape puts in Our Boys from the beginning when he describes the highs-and-lows of the town from its farming heyday; to the Dust Bowl of the 30's; to win #67 that gave the community its fifth straight state championship.

Notice I said "gave the community" the championship! The Redmen won the game on the field, but as Drape eloquently tells us, it truly does take a village. Bravo Joe!

Our Boys comes out this week, and I can't think of a better way for a true fan of high school football to begin the season!

Pick it up!

To find out more, please go to Joe Drape's website at www.joedrape.com.

Jeff

Hawaiian Grocer Steps Up to Help Economically-Struggling Hawaiian High School Sports Programs

by Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle

While all high school athletic programs are being challenged by the economic crisis, none may be hurting more than the Hawaii High School Athletic Association.

Last month it was announced that approximately $1.2 million will be cut from Hawaii’s public high school athletic programs for the 2009-10 school year. HHSAA said that the budget cut amounts to approximately 50% of the funding needed for supplies, equipment, and ground transportation for 45 public high schools statewide, and that the budget cut would require drastic measures to be undertaken, including the possible cutting of all public high school junior varsity sports.

On Thursday, however, Foodland Super Market announced that it wanted to do something to help. Hawaii’s largest and locally-owned and operated grocery retailer has announced it will partner with its customers to support the Hawaii High School Athletic Association (HHSAA) to help save athletic programs in public schools.

Beginning Monday, August 17 and running through Aug. 31, customers are encouraged to make a donation of any amount up to $249 at checkouts at any Foodland and Sack N Save store statewide. Foodland will match all customer donations dollar for dollar up to a total of $50,000 for all donations combined.

“We were saddened to hear about the recent budget cuts to Hawaii’s public school athletic programs, and we want to do what we can to support our schools and community,” said Jenai S. Wall, Foodland Chairman and CEO. “We know our customers also recognize the importance of high school athletics and we’re pleased to provide them with an easy way to help, along with an incentive to do so,” continued Wall. “Together with our customers, through donations made at checkout in the next 2 weeks and Foodland’s $50,000 matching gift, we hope to give $100,000 to the Hawaii High School Athletic Association.”

“We are overwhelmed by the thoughtfulness and generosity of Foodland to join together with its customers to help us during this challenging time, ” said Keith Amemiya, HHSAA Executive Director. “With 30 Foodland and Sack N Save stores statewide, it really does make it easy for everyone to help in whatever way they can.”

The High School Football Huddle salutes Foodland and Sack N Save for taking leadership during tough times!!

Hawaii High School Football Scoreboard - Week 1

by Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle

Two-time defending Hawaii Division II state champ 'Iolani opened the 2009 season with a 30-19 win Kaiser in the Father Bray Classic at Aloha Stadium. According to the Honolulu Advertiser, Raiders QB Jarrett Arakawa was the star by passing for 234 yards and four touchdowns in the first half.

Hawaii High School Football Scores
Saturday, August 15, 2009

'Anuenue 26 KS-Maui 20
Hawai'i Prep 26 Honoka'a 20
'Iolani 30 Kaiser 19 Honolulu Advertiser game story
Kahuku 49 Kealakehe 14 Honolulu Advertiser game story
Kailua 20 Baldwin 9
Kapa'a 16 Kalani 0
Kapolei 47 KS-Hawai'i 0
Konawaena 22 Waialua 14
Pac-Five 48 Kaimuki 19 Honolulu Advertiser game story
Waipahu 27 Kea'au

Hawaii High School Football Scores
Friday, August 14, 2009

'Aiea 24 Roosevelt 3 Honolulu Advertiser game story
Castle 37 Pearl City 7
Farrington 20 Campbell 14
Kahaheo 34 King Kekaulike 7
Leilehua 23 Radford 20
McKinley 27 Nanakuli 8
Mililani 16 Moanalua 3
St. Louis 48 Wai'anae 35

Alaska HIgh School Football Scoreboard - Week 2

by Jeff Fisher
The High school Football Huddle

Service's 49-3 Saturday night win over Dimond may have been just as exciting as the Cougars Big Schools championship last season. That's because the Anchorage Daily News reports that assistant coach Fenumiai "Numi" Italio, Jr. was back roaming the sidelines after returning from his tour of duty in Afghanistan with the Alaska Army National Guard.

This is a great story about a coach that has touched a team and a community.

Alaska High School Football Scores
Saturday, August 15, 2009

Anchorage West 44 Anchorage East 20 Click here for game story
Colony 23 Kodiak 6 Click here for game story
Kenai 71 Houston 0 Click here for game story
Monroe 41 Ketchikan 6
Nikiski 27 Barrow 2
Service 49 Dimond 3
Sitka 32 Delta Junction 0

Alaska HIgh School Football Scoreboard - Week 2

by Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle

It's safe to say that the new #1 team in next week's Alaska Sports Broadcasting Network high school football poll won't be very excited. The reason?? For the second straight week the #1 team in the Big Schools poll was beaten.

Anchorage South beat #1 Bartlett Friday night 23-21. According to the Anchorage Daily News, the Wolverines did it with a solid ground attack. Click here to read the game story.

Alaska High School Football Scores
Friday, August 14, 2009

Anchorage South 23 Bartlett 21
Chugiak 34 Eagle River 0 Click here for game story
Eielson 84 Valdez 7 Click here for game story
Juneau-Douglas 47 Wasilla 0 Click here for game story
North Pole 47 West Valley 7 Click here for game story
Palmer 46 Lathrop 0 Click here for game story
Seward 14 Skyview 0
Soldotna 33 Homer 0

Bartlett Takes Over #1 in Alaska Big School High School Football Rankings

by Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle

After a wild Week 1 that saw both of the pre-season #1 teams in Alaska lose, everyone is wondering what Week 2 will bring?

The one thing we know is that there's a new #1 in both of the Alaska Sports Broadcasting Network high school poll. Barlett moves-up from #2 to take over the top spot in Big Schools, while Kenai leaps from #3 to #1 in Small Schools.

Check-out the new polls...

Big Schools

1. Bartlett (1-0)
2. Colony (1-0)
3. Service (1-0)
4. Juneau-Douglas (1-0)
5. Chugiak (1-0)

Small Schools

1. Kenai (1-0)
2. Eielson (1-0)
3. Kodiak (1-0)
4. Soldotna (0-1)
5. Homer (1-0)

To look ahead to the Week 2 games, click here to go to the Alaska High School Football Huddle.

Shattuck (OK) Eyes 8-Man Football National Win Streak Record

by Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle

Thanks to readers of the Oklahoma High School Football Huddle who want to make sure that 8-Man Football gets its props. In response to our story a couple weeks ago about the longest active win streak in 11-Man Football, several readers asked us to make everyone aware that Shattuck enters 2009 on an 83-game win streak, which is seven shy of the all-time record of 90 straight victories. Morrison High, also from Oklahoma, currently holds the record.

Shattuck has won six straight Okahoma Secondary School Activities Association Class C titles.

Click here for a pre-season preview from The Oklahoman.