Why is big creek high schools foot ball team in danger of losing out on the chance to become state champions from october sky?

In the movie *October Sky*, Big Creek High School's football team isn't directly threatened with losing their chance at a state championship due to any specific event. The focus of the film is on Homer Hickam and his friends' rocketry pursuits, not the football team. Their success in rocketry and the resulting attention diverts some attention and resources, perhaps subtly affecting the football team's overall performance or the community's focus. However, there is no plot point showing a direct, causal connection between the rocketry and the football team's potential to win the state championship.