The high school football season officially kicks off this Friday, as Escambia County High School travels to T.R. Miller for its annual rivalry game at 7 p.m., and Northview High School hosts Bozeman. Escambia Academy also travels to Fort Dale Academy for its second game of the season.

Football coaches and players have been working hard all summer long in order to get ready for this grueling season. These young people have devoted countless hours of time and energy toward their sport, which also means that they aren’t out getting into trouble or breaking the rules. At the same time, they have been learning great life lessons about working together as a team, collecting positive character traits that will continue to benefit them throughout the rest of their lives.

While the football teams might get most of the publicity, it is also important to remember the many other young people who have been working hard to make Friday game nights a memorable experience for our community. The band members have been practicing in pursuit of perfect music and marching steps, and the cheerleaders are ready to do their part to keep up the crowd intensity.

Let’s all work together to make this a season to remember, both on the field as well as off the field. If you’re a fan, practice good sportsmanship and take care when you’re entering and leaving the crowded parking lot at the end of the game. If you’re a player, remember that you represent your community and school.

Good luck to all of our area’s teams.