Ready to see the Tigers

If you saw this headline outside of Hartselle, you might think I was talking about the defending national champions.

While I can’t wait for the college football season to begin next week, the one thing that everyone has told me about Hartselle football is that the town follows the team better than any other.

Specifically when you go on the road, Hartselle will bring more fans than the other team has in their stands.

So far, I can believe that. Just for a Saturday night scrimmage, most of the Hartselle bleachers were full and last week’s jamboree game, it was standing room only on the Tigers’ side of the field.

And that’s without the band being in the stands. That kind of support will give your team an advantage no matter where they play.

I’ve been to a number of games where some 5A and 6A schools only drew just a handful. Usually those schools may have a good year every few years.

However, the teams that have the kind of support that Hartselle has are almost always in the playoffs.

The crowd makes a huge difference, especially in close games. You know it has to inspire your defense when your fans are standing and cheering for you. It causes a player to step up and make a play to keep it going.

Brent Maze is the managing editor of the Hartselle Enquirer.