My faith in the Teche Area’s high school football faithful has been restored in 2009.

Through nine weeks of the regular season it is clear that high school football is alive and well in the area. The fan base, the cheerleaders, the bands, etc. — they’ve been there through thick and thin, heat, cold and/or rain, troubled economy, all for the coaches and the players.

The numbers might not be there all the time as they have been in the past. By no means are there standing room-only crowds.

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Whatever quantity is lacking, however, is offset by quality as always on Friday (and Thursday) nights along and around the Bayou Teche.

The two smallest communities around here have had sizeable crowds file into their high school’s respective stadium, so apparently the tradition of supporting the hometown team, regardless if a relative suits up, continues in places like Delcambre and Loreauville. They have lively fanatic followers and entertaining, knowledgeable game announcers who play to the crowd.

Friday night in the rain at Loreauville’s Tiger Stadium, about 10 bleacher rows from the press box, right next to the aisle, a man sat under a large umbrella at least one hour before kickoff in camouflaged rain gear more suited for waterfowl hunters. He was old enough to be the grandfather of the players who would charge and break the banner just before game time and, in fact, has a son who played years ago for former and legendary LHS head coach Kirk Crochet.

That fan has seen it all in two or three decades on that manicured grass field in front of him, some stirring and noteworthy postseason games, blowouts (mostly favoring the home team) and, of course, the elements like those in which he was sitting. He was smiling and pleasant before that senior night game against Sacred Heart-Ville Platte.

There were other fans like him and they, too, stayed to the soggy, windy end of a 42-0 victory for LHS. He was smiling in the waning minutes as others filed past him in the rain.

The atmosphere can be just as electric in Delcambre, where there is a staunch and dedicated alumni band and color guard to go along with the marching band that practices just as diligently as the players trying to get their Xs and Os right on the gridiron.

Fans take it all in, including the nachos and cheese and other food items offered at the concession stands. Business appears brisk at the counter of those concessions, where people go between plays or at halftime to satisfy their hunger or quench their thirst from cheering for the local 11.

It’s all part of the experience, a good one for the most part for each and every fan weekly. Too bad fandom has to come to an end for some this week and it’s great the season will be extended for others.

It’s fun to be a fan.

DON SHOOPMAN

SENIOR NEWS EDITOR