High School Football Makes a Surprise Comeback
By Rachel Bachman/Wall Street Journal on September 21, 2023 state news PrintFrom the Wall Street Journal:
A decade ago, high school football seemed doomed. Stories of retired NFL players haunted by head injuries filled the news. Participation dwindled as parents feared putting their kids in the sport. Then the pandemic further dimmed Friday night lights across the country and threatened to speed football’s decline.
Several things are driving football’s turnaround, coaches and administrators say. Covid shutdowns made high school students and their parents hungry for social activities. Steps to prevent and manage concussions have reassured parents. And the NFL has put its colossal muscle behind promoting high school tackle and flag football.
“We’ve actually had a lot more support come back for football as a good, disciplined activity for teenagers,” said Matt Johnson, head coach at Mountain View High in Tucson, Ariz. About 130 players are out for football at Mountain View this year, up from 85 in 2019, Johnson said.
“They want to be part of something, they want to be social,” he said.
Rachel Bachman/Wall Street Journal
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