Instead of spending “Black Friday” standing in endless lines with all the rest of the die-hard shoppers in America, I had more important things to do. My sister, parents, aunt, uncle, cousins, and I could be found at the Alamodome ensuring that we got the best seats possible for the big showdown between the Southwest Dragons and the Judson Rockets.

To clarify which side we rooted for, I will say this: three of us proudly display green lettermens as members of the classes of 2005, 2007 and 2008. One of us was standing out on the field in a green and white uniform. In the end, those of us cheering on our “D-Boyz” left the game a little bit sad as our Dragons’ perfect season, 11-0, ended.

I had forgotten what “Friday Night Fever” was all about until this season of high school football. Granted, I spent four years in color guard, and I was at every single football game of my high school career. But since graduating, I hadn’t really been back to a game. That is until the Dragons started winning; then they went 5-0, then 7-0, and, well, I jumped on the bandwagon.

High school football and its fans are a unique part of the South Texas culture. I am not lying when I say the people sitting around me at these games have green blood running through their veins.

I seriously don’t think you could have more loyal fans than those die-hard supporters of their local high school or alma mater. These fans are there for their team no matter what. I always find it astonishing how many fans fill stadiums across the city even though the team may have not won a single game.
With the high school football playoffs well under way, this is my small shout out to all you die-hard fans who make it out to each and every game, never diss their team, and stick with the team through the good and the bad. You are true examples of what being a fan is all about!