VIDEO: The Jobs Of Football Season Parents

STARKVILLE, Miss.(WCBI) It’s finally the time of year that most people have been waiting for, the start of Football Season.

For parents of athletes, cheerleaders, and band members it means a more hectic daily schedule.

High school football is a storied tradition in Mississippi.

“There really is nothing like it. Some folks prefer the pros some prefer college but on the high school level it’s the pure love of the sport and the community that brings it all together, that make it unique in a special way,”said Starkville High Parent  Jeffrey Rupp.

Jeffrey and Donna Rupp are parents of two Starkville Yellow Jackets cheerleaders. They love this time of year but their calendars can get kind of crazy.

“We have to run them to practice during the week, then pick them up, and run them home. Then on game days, we have to pick them up early. If they are going away they have to get on the bus. They got to get fed and then they get home really late at night. So, it’s definitely a time commitment,”said Starkville High Parent Donna Rupp.

The Rupps have two daughters, Taylor, the oldest one, she is a Cheer leader and Ellie is the mascot.

Jeffery says attending the game can get pricey if you don’t look for package deals.

“High school football is the biggest bargain there is right? So, buying our parking passes and our season tickets was really a breeze it was well within the Rupp family budget,”said Rupp.

Donna says the preparations for the game during the week is one thing but the game it’s self if another thing.

“After the game, it can be 10 or 11 o’ clock and then they have to wind down and then you have to find time to get them to go to bed. If they have other sports commitments, they sometimes have another tournament the next day. You have to try to get them in bed and get them some rest,”said  Rupp.

No matter how late they get home or money they spend, the Rupps say they wouldn’t trade Friday night lights for anything in the world.

“We wouldn’t miss a minute of it because we love being involved and we enjoy watching our kids play.  It’s a very special time for us,”said Rupp.

The teams are just starting to warm up and as you can see everyone is waiting the clash on the grid iron.