High school football: a bright future

For years, the Valley Minor Football Association lobbied for some school – any school – in our area to organize a high school football program.

It was understood start-up costs would be significant, but it was felt the advantages, both in terms of getting more students active and enhancing school spirit, would outweigh the disadvantages.

VMFA officials had their own agenda in promoting the idea. There were a number of talented players on the bantam and even peewee Bulldogs roster - players who might someday be university material - but who would be left without a place to play when bantam eligibility expired at age 15. A handful of Valley players chose to move to Halifax for all or part of the school year in order to stay active, but that wasn’t a solution.

Last year, Northeast Kings and Horton in Kings County, and Avon View in Hants County, agreed to take the plunge. NKEC and Avon View both followed the experiment through to fruition, while Horton offifcials made the decision to wait a year.

At NKEC, the Titans took their lumps but were competitve in the second tier of the NSSAF high school league in their inaugural season. The level of student participation and fan support and the effect on overall school spirit all met or exceeded prior expectations.

NKEC did things right, but really, I feel, so did Horton in holding off. The Griffins program had most of the money required in place a year ago, but couldn’t get a firm commitment from a head coach.

This year, with a full coaching staff in place, Horton is off and running. While NKEC has a year’s head start, any discrepancy there might be may not last long.

The Griffins, despite a win in their first-ever game, will no doubt experience the growing pains normal to any expansion program – their 66-0 second game loss to Prince Andrew is an indication of that.

Avon View, in its second year, decided to move to the upper tier of NSSAF football competition – a decision that may or may not end up being a good move, but probably will end up more of a positive.

NKEC chose to remain in the second tier and play teams more or less at its own level for at least another season - a smart move. Not only does it allow the Titans program to improve at its own pace, it sets up the natural rivalry with Horton that should have happened a year ago.

NKEC looks to be a better team this year than last, what one might expect.

Horton and NKEC were scheduled to meet for the first time last Sunday in Canning. The teams meet again Oct. 7 in Wolfville. While there will likely be a lot of hype surrounding the game - on both sides - the final score really doesn’t matter. Two local schools (three, if one counts Avon View) are now playing high school football, a positive thing.

What’s more, I’m told there is a move afoot to start football at Central Kings - if not next fall, then the year after. While some may feel that will make for too many teams in too small an area, the success of NKEC and now Horton, and the spirit the Titans program has built in a short time, tells me there is lots of room. The only question is money, and I believe that can always be found - especially if you know where to look.