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Guest blogger Dane Johnson gives an insider view of high school football

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Since 1971, with the exception of a few years during college, I’ve either played or coached high school football. It’s safe to say I REALLY love the game and for the most part, the people associated with it as well. Over the years though, this magnificent demonstration of guts and athleticism within the sphere of teamwork, has changed. I still love the game, but I’m afraid much of that change has not been good.

So what’s a washed up lineman/tired old ball coach with bad knees to do?! Well, I guess in these exciting days of technology and social media it’s obvious: Blog!

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So...what are the best and worst things about high school football? Well, I love the fact that a strong season by the football team at any school, can literally transform the rest of the school year. I recall coaching at West Covina High in the early 90’s, when we were just....well,....awful! But in ’92 and ’93 we had a class of student athletes come through who were really gifted, and they were great as a team. We won a lot of games and went deep into the playoffs, and suddenly everything on campus changed. There was less graffiti, fewer fights in the quad, and we saw a significant upswing in the morale on campus. I bet if you checked, you would find that test scores even went up as well!

On the other hand, I despise the sad reality that adults are ruining the game for these kids! Unrealistic parents living vicariously through their kid, college and pro players who have completely forgotten why they started playing in the first place, and officials who forget the game is not about them, all serve to really screw things up for kids. Folks, it’s just a game!!! And while it’s great to have pride in your program, it’s not OK to root AGAINST a 16-year-old kid who’s making his first start at QB for the opposing team! After all, if your team wins while the other team has played a great game, doesn’t that make your victory all the sweeter?

So my question is, ‘What can we do to rescue the greatest game on planet earth, and would you be willing to join that effort?’

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--Dane Johnson

The Times is pleased to have Dane Johnson blogging his thoughts on high school football throughout the season. Johnson, a football coach at San Dimas High, has been a football coach for more than 20 years in the San Gabriel Valley and is also a pastor at Christ’s Church of the Valley . You can connect with him on Twitter @PastorDaneJ.

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