We all know that Texas is the epicenter of the high school football world. This weekend was supposed to be a happy one across the state with the 2017 season opening for the 1,000-plus schools that play football across the Lone Star State. And, while many will open as planned, Hurricane Harvey has ripped apart the start of the season in the Houston-area and in southeast Texas with nearly 100 games being cancelled.
Related: Hurricane Harvey cancels games
This morning, I spent some time calling coaches and programs around the nation to find-out how Friday Night Lights communities around the nation would be coming together this weekend to help those affected by the devastating storm and subsequent flooding.
Here’s a sample of what we’ve found around the nation:
- No. 1 Mater Dei (California), which plays No. 2 Bishop Gorman Friday night in Santa Ana, California, will be collecting clothing for Hurricane Harvey victims. During Thursday morning’s announcements at the school, students learned the school would by collecting clothes at school and at the entrance to the game.
- Palmetto (Florida) will be collecting canned goods during its game with Manatee (Florida). JV players will collect the donations as fans enter the game.
- Lubbock High School (Texas) will have coaches’ wives stationed at the entrance gates for Friday’s game against Seminole to collect money that will be sent to those in-need in the Houston-area.
- According to WQAD-TV in Iowa, Bettendorf and Assumption will play a “Texas-themed” football game. The station’s website reports that students have been asked to dress in a country western clothing. They will then collect money that will be given to the Red Cross.
- In Ohio, St. Bernard-Elmwood Place and Bethel-Tate will be raising money for Hurricane Harvey Relief. Last year, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer, last year St. Bernard-Elmwood Place’s stadium was flooded
Come to the game this Thursday and help people in need! Kick off at 7PM. Go Titans!https://t.co/1s2ahM7fnK
— SBEP Football (@SBEPFootball) August 29, 2017
- At San Antonio Madison High, the James Madison High School Athletic Boosters are accepting and coordinating donations to Refugio High School and its football team, according to MySanAntonio.com. From the tweet below you can see that Kansas State donated shoes to the Bobcats, who are the state’s defending Class 2A Division I champs.
S/O To My @KStateFB Brothers That Helped Donate To Refugio High School!
God Bless Y’all ?? @CoachSpiegleman @CoachCamCox #RefugioStrong ?? pic.twitter.com/nPuiZP60Gl
— C.J. Reese (@cj_reese) August 31, 2017
All week long, the Texas High School Coaches Association has been promoting asking its members to take collections at games. As you can see from the sample of tweets below, a lot of teams will be doing all they can to help those that desperately need help.
@marshallmavs & @RELFootball will join @THSCAcoaches in relief efforts for Huuricane Harvey on Friday. Money & supplies will be accepted! pic.twitter.com/kPajqEaixj
— Marshall Mavericks (@marshallmavs) August 31, 2017
@FrenshipISD along with @CanyonAthletics & @bwdathletics will pass the bucket at halftime of tomorrow’s football game. @THSCAcoaches pic.twitter.com/fjsOWya669
— Chad Smith (@ChadK3Dad) August 31, 2017
.@RoundRockISD Football collects monetary donations at this weeks games. 100% goes to @THSCAcoaches for TX #RedCross #Hurricane Relief Fund pic.twitter.com/25XjbjJMjl
— Round Rock ISD (@RoundRockISD) August 31, 2017
There are many, many more stories of high schools and their football programs pitching-in to help those in-need in Texas and we’ll continue to add their stories to the list as we hear or read about them.
