Security Changes Made For Some Richmond County High School Football Games

By Barclay Bishop
WJBF News Channel 6 reporter
Published: October 6, 2008

Augusta, GA—Saturday was a little different for a few teams, and the crowd. With ongoing problems at some schools, the Richmond County Board of Education decided it was time to take some action in a different way, starting Saturday.

Saturday...for some Richmond County teams, it’s a new day for high school football…

Ivory Hugee, Head Coach, Westside High School Patriots: “You know, it’s a little different, but I think the kids, they’re just ready to play.”

And, a new day for many fans…

Christopher Walker, high school football fan: “It makes the kids more safer, out here, during the weekends and stuff. And then, if kids don’t have anything to do, just come out here and have fun at the football game.”

The Board of Education’s theory for the move: more team wins, means more fans, and a higher chance for something bad to happen. Now, security will have more manpower on Fridays and Saturdays, with fewer games to patrol.

Louis Svehla, Public Information Officer, Richmond County Board of Education: “Certainly, the community feels good going in at 3 in the afternoon, the sun is shining most of the time, and they can bring kids, aunts and uncles...some of the people that wouldn’t normally show up on a Friday night game.”

The Josey Eagles and Westside Patriots were one of a few teams that experienced the first of these game changes. Some people like it…

Kenneth Jones, high school football fan: “I think it’s better to have it on a Saturday, simply because of the traffic, and it’s less crowded.”

And others...well not so much.

Suzanne Denning, high school football fan: “It’s a little inconvenient. It’s better to have them at the scheduled time. I know we’re doing it for the school board, and security reasons, but a lot of the parents had things to do, today, so it’ll be a small crowd, I’m sure.”

Westside coach, Ivory Hugee, says he’s all for the change if it helps security, but he hopes it also helps his guys on the field.

Coach Hugee: “My experience in the past with Saturday games, you know sometimes the focus is not there, because they’re not at school and they’re home all day and you know we don’t bring them in early. So, it’s kind of touch and go.”

Barclay Bishop, reporting: “And, tell me the truth...would you rather be at home watching college football, today, or here?”

Coach Hugee: “Hey, I would rather be with these guys...(laughing at end)”

This weekend was just kind of a testing period for the games. Other games will switch over to Saturdays, depending on who’s playing who, and how many are expected to attend.

An average Friday night game would have 6 or 8 security guards. This change allows 10 to 12 to patrol the bigger games.