The biggest high school football game on the East Bank of St. John Parish will be played this Friday.

It’s finally here — St. Charles vs. Riverside — the game that the supporters of each team have talked about since redistricting last year.

Everyone emotionally involved in the game will forget that it’s only a game.

Coaches, players, students and fans will forget about everything except what happens during those 48 minutes of football.

When the final whistle blows, there will be a winner and a loser. The coaches of the winning team won’t sleep well, because of the excitement.

The coaches of the losing team won’t sleep well, because of the disappointment and what could have been.

The fans of both teams might experience the same.

I’m sure the players on both teams will sleep well, because they will be exhausted and realize it was only a game. The winners will have bragging rights for a year and the losers will say, “Wait until next year!”

Regardless of what happens Friday night, that will not affect St. John Parish in a positive or negative way.

However, what we do the next day, Saturday, will affect all of us.

Nothing we do that day will change the outcome of the game, but the people we elect as our leaders will determine the safety and the services we receive for the next four years.

I’ll exercise my right to vote and encourage all registered voters to participate in the Democratic process. It’s not only our right, but our responsibility. Remember, people get the type of government they deserve.

If we unselfishly vote for the candidates we feel will do the best job, we will all be winners.

If you have any questions, or comments, please write to Get High on Life, P.O. Drawer U, Reserve, LA 70084, call 985-652-4877 or email hkeller@comcast.net.