* Record Keeping: Maintaining scores is a fundamental aspect of tracking team performance and individual player statistics. This information is used for various purposes, including:
* Ranking and playoff eligibility: Scores determine league standings, seeding for playoffs, and ultimately, championship contention.
* Player evaluation: Coaches use scores and individual statistics to assess player performance, identify areas for improvement, and make recruiting decisions (for college scholarships).
* Historical context: Game records provide a historical account of the team's performance over time.
* School pride and community engagement: Winning and losing seasons impact school morale and community interest in the team.
* Reporting and Transparency: Schools often report scores to local newspapers, athletic associations, and online databases. This allows for public access to game results and contributes to transparency.
* League Regulations: While not a universal requirement, many high school athletic leagues *require* member schools to submit game scores for official record-keeping and to ensure fair play and adherence to league rules.
In short, while there's no blanket legal mandate, the practical necessity of scorekeeping for various administrative, competitive, and community reasons makes it a near-universal practice in high school football.