Before the first whistle blows each Friday night, there’s a lot of behind-the-scenes work and expense that goes into making a successful football game, and a run deep into the playoffs can add to expenses.

Still, Straughn boosters said this week these expenses are well worth it.

Lynn Boutwell, whose husband, Glenn, is the SHS Band Booster president, said they plan at the beginning of the year to go wherever the team goes, and to help pay for the needed expenses.

“If the band doesn’t have enough in their account (to pay for expenses) we help take care of it,” Lynn said. “That’s what we are here for.”

For the band boosters, more of the expenses come from traveling.

“We take four chaperones per bus, plus the bus drivers, which are also boosters who volunteer to drive,” she said. “My husband pulls the trailer.”

The biggest expense is gas for the travels, but the amount of money spent depends on the distance traveled.

Boutwell said if Straughn advances they will look at staying over night or chartering buses in and to Auburn, if they can raise the funds.

Cheerleaders were busy Wednesday making the final signs and putting the finishing touches on other things.

Cheerleader Taylor Wood said booster badges would be on sale on Friday morning for Straughn fans to show their spirit, and a pep rally will be held tonight at 6:30 at Tigers Stadium.

For home games, Straughn Quarterback Club President Mark Elmore said expenses can reach up to $2,500 per game, especially in big games such as Friday night’s semifinals against Fayette County or a Straughn-Andalusia rivalry game.

“This would be ball parking it right now, but I would think probably the average with drinks and food and everything would be $2,000 to $2,500 per game. This is expenses alone.”

Elmore said the QB club makes some profit.

“When we had the Andalusia game, we started off with nothing,” he said. “We had a tremendous drink order. We make a decent profit off our concession stand. That basically is what gets us through the year.”

During playoffs, schools also make a profit from the gate whether they play host or travel.

“If I understand it right, we split it three ways,” Elmore said. “The (Alabama High School Athletic Association) gets a third; the visiting team gets a third; and the home team gets a third (of gate sales).”

Friday night’s admission is $7 per person, with children 5 and under free with a paying adult.

Advanced tickets are on sale at SHS until 2 p.m. Friday.

Elmore said parking is free, and the gates will open around 5:30 p.m. There is no reserved seating.

-Kendra Bolling and Andrew Garner contributed to the story.