In the infamous words of Hank Williams, Jr., "Are you ready for some football?" Pee Wee football, high school football, college football, NFL football, you name it we got it.

(Short note: Let me start off by saying "thank you" to the folks of the Covington County Commission and the County Recreation Board for making it possible for the kids of Florala to actually be able to get suited up to play football. Your help is greatly appreciated.)

Friday night marked the start of the high school football season here in Covington County. The smell of hotdogs, hamburgers and popcorn floated along the brisk breeze as parents and spectators cautiously filled the rows of concrete, anxiously awaiting kick-off.

The sport of football has been a long-standing southern tradition. Pep rallies and bonfires past have made their way into high school history, and for many students this is the last opportunity they will have to enjoy the carefree days of youth.

Enjoy it while you have the opportunity.

Revel in the deep rumblings of the crowd.

Breathe deep the smell of leather and dust.

Feel the anticipation coursing through your veins.

Enjoy it.

The spotlight was only on the game of football Friday night. Countywide, the bands, cheerleaders, majorettes, color guards and dance lines took to the field to show their stuff. To the horn tooting, pom-pom carrying, baton twirling, flag-flying and ribbon-swirling people, enjoy what you do and be good at it. Without you, dead silence would fill the air at quarter breaks and half time.

We mustn't forget the dedicated parents armed with moneybags and programs, grill forks and cups, or the volunteers and teachers who guard the ticket boxes and press box. We surely can't forget the patrolmen and chiefs of police who make it their job to see that all is well on the way to the game, during the game and on the way home. The game and production of football is a lot like life. It is an orchestrated event where all participants, volunteers or not, work together tirelessly to ensure that the job is done.

We've all heard the saying, "Its not whether you win or lose, its how you play the game." In the game of life, there are no winners or losers, and only those who take an active part.

Be a part of something, because only through the giving of ourselves can we truly become whole.