Well here it is mid-November again, and as it has been in many past years, the Mariposa County High School varsity football team has made it to the playoffs. This Friday night Mariposa will host the first round playoff game at our own Gold Bowl at the fairgrounds. This year has seen the usual hard work by the boys, the cheerleaders, the band and the many volunteers, who come out year after year, dedicating their time and efforts to make these home games a fun experience. There is only one very obvious difference between this year and previous years: a lack of people in the stands cheering for these kids.

I have been involved in youth sports in this county for almost 15 years and have always been impressed with the support given to our kids, who really are representing Mariposa around the valley. Mariposa supporters in past years traveled in large numbers to away games and always equal or even outnumber those supporters from the local teams.

This is not only true for the football team, but for other sports involving both boys and girls. I know these are not the best economic times, but for the price, it really is an inexpensive and exciting source of entertainment for a Friday night. For all of the reasons that these young men play football and dedicate so much time and effort, one of the things that means a lot to them is the support of their family and friends as well as the community. When they get back on the bus after a win and get back to town, you can hear the yelling and cheering from the bus because they want everyone to know about their success.

So this Friday a team is going to travel to Mariposa from the Sacramento area to play the Grizzlies and experience what football in the Gold Bowl is like. It is going to be cold and the bleachers are certainly not padded captains’ chairs, but you probably will have a good time and get to see Mariposa's kids in action. A jacket, gloves, a hat and some coffee or hot chocolate will help with the cold, but you also might be distracted some from the weather when you see a good high school football game and everything that goes with it.

Please don't let there be more fans from the opposing school than there are fans from right here in Mariposa. Please come out Friday night and support our county high school team and recognize them for their success. Hope to see you there.

Mark Jones