High school football is an integral part of any rural economy

“Welcome to the jungle, we got fun and games.”

The words of the wise poet Axle Rose only begin to describe the atmosphere of a Louisa High School football game. From fire-breathing statues to a living, breathing lion, to an announcer who doesn't even take breaths, Louisa's “Jungle” offers those looking for Friday night entertainment an amazing experience.

But for all of its fireworks and hoopla, there is a more interesting dynamic to football games in Louisa — their economic impact.

Whether it be the Redskins or Hokies, people spend big money on their football, making it a billion-dollar industry. High school football in rural areas carries almost the same economic impact as pro teams do for big cities. Revenue generated by high school football game ticket sales can run upward of $10,000. Who else in a rural area can bring in $10,000 worth of business in a few hours other than Walmart?

As school systems across the country search for means of revenue, football programs are taking on a new importance. In addition to football serving as a way of teaching young men about unity and the hard work needed to sucessed in life, football is becoming a large revenue source.

High schools are focusing more efforts on providing fans with a remarkable experience to increase ticket sales. As high school games begin to resemble the experience of professional games, with T-shirt cannons and skydivers, advertising at these events becomes more attractive. The icing on this revenue cake is the advertising money programs enjoy when ticket sales are healthy. The other bonus of ad revenue is high schools can generally lock in revenue before the first snap of the season.

Firms advertising at high school football games is brilliant, considering Friday night games are the largest gathering of prospective customers in one spot during the week for most rural areas. Community businesses reap serious rewards off this advertising, as many fans eat out before or after the game.

The economic impact of high school games is a prominent and positive one for both schools and private businesses. The impact of football expands past local economics; it affects the social structure of communities and helps develop young men, some of whom may struggle to find motivation during their teenage years.

Look no further than the Cannonball Classic (between Culpeper and Eastern View) as a high school football game having an economic impact. First, the tickets sales alone for CCHS were an economic success, and then think about how much money fans of both great schools spent out in the community the night of the game. Culpeper's local economy was the real winner that night.

High school football is taking on a new importance in rural economies. From Louisa to Culpeper to other areas around the country, Friday night lights can turn into Friday night cash for schools and private businesses alike.

Richardson’s column runs each Wednesday. He teaches at Eastern View High School.