Our state's varsity high school football coaches spend at least 10 nights a season standing on the sidelines.

That time encompasses regular season 10-game schedules.

Those fortunate ones get to stand longer with their teams - depending how deep that they advance into the state playoffs. Have you wondered what these coaches do on those weekend nights once their squads have been eliminated? With the playoffs still taking place? Judging by last Friday night, it seems obvious that many coaches continue to stand on these same prep football sidelines. While viewing the State AA third round playoff clash which matched host Cartersville against Charlton County, numerous coaches from our northwest section could be observed. Unlike their own games, the sideline participation came at the ends of the field. This included most of the Calhoun High coaching staff. It was mentioned to several Yellow Jackets' coaching members, "If Charlton can't handle Cartersville, we know that your guys could." Back in early October, Calhoun shocked Cartersville, 28-13, on the same turf. Before that happened, the Purple Hurricanes had the state's longest winning streak at 19 games. This Cartersville vs. Charlton contest uniquely matched schools which captured state championships last year in AA and A, respectively. Cartersville must have come away with that same sick feeling it had against Calhoun. In what was billed as an equal outing, the Indians scalped the Hurricanes, 33-9. Charlton, which is located next to the Florida line not far from Waycross, never seems to lack for talent. That includes the current edition. Two versatile players are rated among the state's Top 50 college prospects - namely Marquis Elmore, linebacker-defensive line-tight end; and Bama Adams, quarterback-safety. Both have committed to University of Georgia. Against Cartersville, they were "difference makers." Adams returned an interception 90 yards for a touchdown and added two TDs rushing; and Elmore was a particular force on defense. No doubt, you also could find non-participating coaches on other state playoff sidelines - such as at Cedartown. There Cedartown hosted Jackson - a school in the Griffin area. Unfortunately, the home field proved no kinder for the Bulldogs than the Purple Hurricanes. Upset-minded Jackson prevailed over Cedartown, 21-7, in AAA action. In other play involving a representative from our northwest sector, Murray County suffered a 33-6 loss to Shaw at Columbus. Since that winner has been ranked State AAAA No. 1 for most of the season, the result hardly surprised any astute observers. As a third place finisher from Region 7-AAAA, Murray was a surprise participant in the Final Eight. Cartersville and Cedartown were region champions for 6-AA and 6-AAA, respectively. Since Cartersville, Cedartown and Murray represented the final hopes from the northwest area, it could be described as Black Friday. Nevertheless, those non-participating coaches on the sidelines - who suffered earlier elimination - would gladly have changed places with those losing taskmasters .