I spent this weekend in Houston attending my niece’s 40th birthday party. Though I missed the freshmen football game on Thursday night, another grand nephew is the center for the varsity team and played Friday night.

Now, I’ve never seen a full episode of Friday Night Lights, but I have been to Houston often enough to know about how revered high school football is in Texas. (In fact, currently one district in suburbia has a $69.5 million bond issue on the ballot to build a new stadium to seat 8,000!) As a spectator for the visiting team, I had to buy a ticket on-line. No cash–not even for concessions.

The school parking areas were full when we arrived, and we parked across the street. The police had strategically and conveniently set up a temporary crosswalk to facilitate our entrance. We walked toward the gate and I saw two, semi-trucks and a panel truck with my nephew’s school logo. WTH? The band equipment!

I couldn’t believe my eyes when I spied the stadium. It outshone any small college athletic facility. In fact, I’ve never seen anything in the Phoenix area of that quality! Unfortunately, I can’t share photos of the field due to a mishap. But thankfully, the school district has its own YouTube channel and not only streams each game live, but replays it all weekend. Thus, I watched both half-time performances and the second half. Had I been in the stands, I would never seen my nephew’s snaps up close and personal.

Curiously, Texas ranks 42nd in public school funding, even though 91% of its children attend public schools. Its governor and legislature has embraced funneling public monies to 9% in the name of choice. Clearly the vast majority attend public schools and support athletics, band, and extracurricular activities. Yet…oblah dee, oblah dah.

(Note: Photo is a $70 million, high school football stadium in Allen, TX)