There is something more going on than just that. There are places in the US that take highschool football more seriously than other places take all of their highschool sports combined. Like, a highschool game isn't just something students and their families go to, but something the whole town goes to.

Its not like that is the only thing to do in town either, they have cable TV, the internet, and bars just like the rest of America (well, except for a few dry counties).

I honestly have no idea what to make of it. Calling football in the south a religion is cliche, but as far as I can tell it is just an accurate way of describing it.

They can play and practice year-round without renting out expensive indoor facilities.