Friday Night Lights

The preparation I did for the 2014 high school football season obviously pales in comparison to what the players, coaches, cheerleaders, bands, administrators, boosters and parents have to do.

High school football is special time in western Pennsylvania, and the Pittsburgh Sports Report is fortunate to have a pair of corporate partners who understand that. U.S. Steel and CoGo's go further than merely understanding that high school football is a big deal in these parts, though. Both companies understand why that's so.

The companies are vastly different. CoGo's is a convenience store franchise that first opened in the South Hills of Pittsburgh in 1962.

United States Steel Corporation is a multi-national integrated steel production company founded in 1901, and responsible for building everything from bridges to the weapons that won this country's wars.

What the two companies have in common, however, is Pittsburgh. Both companies are founded and headquartered here, but more than that, both are comprised of the people of the region. And that's what drives the connection to high school football.

It's not the success of our local high school football teams and players that sparks the passion in the region—though there certainly is plenty of success to brag about—it’s the people.

And that’s exactly what CoGo’s and U.S. Steel both understand. The football players themselves play the starring roles, but that’s the most fleeting part of the whole thing. The passion of the fans—nervous moms, beaming dads, supportive girlfriends—fill the stadiums across the region every Friday night in the fall. The energy of the students—from the enthusiasm of the cheerleaders to the syncopation of the band to the rowdiness of the student sections—drives the heightened excitement in stands. The tireless volunteers, the hard-working administrators, the dedicated coaches – all of things these come together to make high school football the spectacle we all appreciate.

CoGo’s is back supporting their communities with the High School Feature Matchup every Friday night this season. U.S. Steel returns to honor the neighborhoods and school districts throughout the Mon-Valley with the Game of the Week. Look for previews, highlights and photos in your monthly PSR, our digital version and our website at www.pittsburghsportsreport.com. The coverage starts this month.

And if you’re not a fan, that’s fine too – you probably don’t understand what all the excitement is about. If you are, however, then you certainly don’t need me to explain this to you. The hair on the back of your neck is explanation enough.