The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

To The Eagle:

I attended my first Wahkiakum High School football game this past week.

The effort by the Wahkiakum players was really something to see and admire. It was apparent how much work and dedication the players and coaches put into the football program.

The cheerleaders do a number of difficult routines all game long in nearly flawless unison. I am sure they must practice and work hard and long to accomplish that.

The student (Micca Cothren) who sang the National Anthem was amazing.

The large number of family, friends and fans of these players and cheerleaders attending was great to see.

Now what I don’t understand is why our team is placed on the far side of the field while the visiting team’s players, cheerleaders and fans are on what is traditionally the home team side of the field with the covered grandstand.

This has our cheerleaders competing for space to perform and then in effect, having to wait their turn to cheer while the visiting cheerleaders do their routines.

So with our team placed on the far side of the field, the players families, friends and fans have to stand in the weather (rain, etc.) to offer support, unable to hear our cheerleaders and having a long walk to the concession stand and restrooms.

The team and the cheerleaders deserve better for their hard work, while the family, friends and fans deserve to be treated better for their support. All together, on the covered grandstand homefield side, the team, cheerleaders and fans could truly enjoy the pageantry that is high school football.

My question is: What ever happened to home field advantage?

Paul Schreiber

Cathlamet

Editor’s note: Football coaches made the decision to move to the far sideline several years ago to take advantage to the field house facility at the east end of the field; it is much more spacious than the team’s locker room.