Reversal of Fortunes - Prep Football Interceptions

There's something completely demoralizing about them if you're on the "other" team. From second to second in high school football, you have no idea what's around the corner. That's what we love about the game. Any play might average, huge, or a complete and devastating failure. The prep football interception falls in the last category if your team is on the offense. You feel it in your gut like a body blow from a prized fighter. That 20 yard gain literally on the tip of your receivers finger tips is now completely reversed and going the wrong way. Let's talk a little it about the play that can suck the energy out of an offense's fan giant a giant vacuum...the high school football interception.

Look, the passing game feels like Vegas as it. High stakes for big yards but riskier than the run. You're already tempting fate a little bit going that route. It's a lot harder at the prep football level to coordinate everything that's needed to pull off a successful pass. The QB has to deliver the ball well. The offensive line has to give him the protection and time needed to allow passing routes to play out. The receiver not only has to get there and get separation from the DB, but he has to make the actual catch in what seems to be a flash of time. This all deals with the offense. What if we have some amazing athletes lurking around in the backfield. All it takes is a dominant cornerback or clarovoyant free safety to wreak havoc. Don't forget the linebackers who are watching every move of the QB's eyes. It's amazing any pass gets caught. Now and then they get caught...by the wrong team.

There's almost no sport equivalent to such a huge swing in momentum. Even sacks and fumble recoveries don't compare. With an interception, the ball is sailing at about 20-25 mile per hour and in the blink of an eye, it now instantly changes direction 180 degrees. One minute, you're beaming with excitement and then jaw drops in disappointment. Te best part (if you're the defense) is watching the quarterback try to make the tackle as the last barrier on the field between the defensive back and a touchdown. Really....taking out the knees? That's what we expect from a QB. If the DB runs the interception all the way back for a touchdown, well...you just feel that in the gut.

So how often do interceptions occur? The best defensive backs in high school football leagues, usually have 15 interceptions in a league. The best prep football db's might average over 1 interception per game. Let's face it...they're not easy to come by which is why they have such a big impact. Some DB's will go an entire season and never get an interception. Ever. So next time you're watching a high school football game and suddenly the crowd gasps and the ball disobeys physics by reversing direction instantly and with equal speed, have respect for what just happened. The high school football interception deserves respect.

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