Prep events proceeding as scheduled

Is it too soon to play games?

As rescue personnel in New York still scramble in efforts to save victims buried as a result of Tuesday's terrorist attacks, the NFL says yes. So does major league baseball and so does the PGA Tour and many colleges. In those organizations, security and travel pose legitimate concerns, but most of all they want to show due respect for a nation trying to heal.

In the immediate area, the high school activities have for the most part proceeded as normal and tonight's football games are no different.

Like it or not, tonight's football games will provide perhaps the first public forum for the area's communities to come together.

Prayers and moments of silence have been scheduled at most of the games tonight. Scott City is asking fans to bring candles as a part of a pre-game ceremony.

"High school athletics brings communities together," said Jackson coach Carl Gross. "Right now, I think that's important. There's strength in numbers and football brings towns together."

Make no mistake, it wasn't business as usual for the area's athletes this week.

"I'm proud of our football team this week," Cape Central coach Lawrence Brookins said. "They handled it well. The kids came out and didn't do too bad."

If anything, practices this week provided a temporary escape from the powerful images of terror constantly displayed on television.

"I think playing games and practicing helped keep us focused," said Jenna Leet, a starter on Jackson's volleyball team. "It's good to have something fun to do after school. We're just fortunate that nothing happened like that here."

"We had distractions early, but once we got on the practice field, things got back to normal," Gross said. "Before and after practice, there's a lot of conversation. On the field, we went about our business."