High School Football on TV: A Comprehensive Guide to Broadcast in America

High school football has been a beloved tradition in the United States for decades. While the majority of games are played in front of small crowds or local fans, some of these games do make it to the national screen. This guide explores when and how high school football games are televised in America.

Televised Games in Various States

Different states in America offer varying levels of televised high school football games. In some markets, high school games have been captured and shown on television. A notable example is Pennsylvania, where the high school state championships are televised statewide on a cable network.

ESPN has also expanded its coverage to include a few high school games. In many states, the state championship games are broadcast on cable channels and can be watched across the entire country. For instance, in Texas, championship games can be seen on Bally Sports Southwest, formerly Fox Sports Southwest.

Popularity of High School Football

High school football is particularly popular in certain states, such as Texas, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Florida. In these places, some high school games do receive television coverage, often during late-season playoff times.

For many high school football fans, the highlight reels and recap videos are what they see on late Friday night news. However, the late season playoff games are often televised on local cable channels, providing another way for fans to enjoy their favorite games.

Nationally Televised High School Games

ESPN regularly broadcasts high school football games. A prime example is the game between New Orleans La schools Isidore Newman and KIPP Booker T. Washington, which was nationally televised by ESPN in October 2021. The game was won by Isidore Newman 55-22. This school features quarterback Arch Manning, who is the grandson of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning and the nephew of Peyton Manning and Eli Manning.

In another notable game, Isidore Newman also lost to Berkeley Prep Tampa Florida 49-24 in October of the same year. These games showcase the exceptional talent often found in high school football programs across the country.

Regional vs. National Television Exposure

The availability of high school football games on television varies significantly across the country. In some places, only important playoff or championship games are televised. Other areas may have one game of the week shown on television, usually the most competitive and promising local teams.

In certain regions, specific schools are given more coverage due to their exceptional programs. For example, in the Southern California region and most of Texas, there are some outstanding high school football programs. However, competing for television time is very expensive, and most games do not receive national coverage.

Across the United States, each state has high school football programs that are considered exceptional. However, the ability to compete for television time is a significant financial burden. In many states, only one out of every 450 to 500 games is televised, making it a relatively rare event.

It's important to note that not all high school football games are televised. Most games do not receive the same level of coverage, and fans often rely on community support, social media, and local media to stay informed about their favorite teams' performances.