ROBERTSDALE, Ala. — It’s late August and high school football, nearly a religion in these parts, has begun.

The sports page and fans are speaking in tongues, talking of “downs,” and “yardage.”

But wait. There’s something missing. Something that brings life to football, and gets the fans in the stands up and moving

We’re talking about the band.

For Robertsdale High, the Golden Bear Marching Band is ready to take the field. The 136-member band has been practicing for several weeks and according to Band Director Neil Sasser, should be in fine form for the school’s first home football game Friday against Gulf Shores.

“We are doing a James Bond show,” said Sasser, adding that the arrangement of classic film music is fast-paced and “difficult.” The music is based on an arrangement performed by the world-champion Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps from Rosemont, Ill.

Even the color guard is getting into the act with new black pants and a gray and white top Sasser says, “looks like a suit.”

That should make the color guard look like the dapper spy, a great accompaniment to the Bond music.

But not to hear the band, which is mostly freshmen, about “65 percent freshmen,” according to Sasser, would be a crime.

“We lost a lot of seniors last year,” explained Sasser. “This is a large group (of newcomers) but a good group. This is a very good-sounding band.”

If you can’t get to one of the Robertsdale football games, don’t worry. There are some other opportunities to see and hear the band in action.

“We will be going to three competitions this fall,” said Sasser. Andalusia, Perkingston, Miss., and Theodore will host the competitions.

If you are hoping to see and hear a lot of bands, RHS is hosting the County Band Jamboree Oct. 6 at J.D. Sellars Stadium in Robertsdale.

“There is going to be a special performance by the University of South Alabama Band,” said Sasser, noting that this is the first year for the college band, which has four former Golden Bear Band members in its ranks.

“There are going to be a lot more (band members) there in the future,” said Sasser.

The jamboree is free and open to the public. However, the band will be earning money from sales at the snack bar.

“Buy a hamburger,” joked Sasser.

If you just want to hear the Robertsdale band, the band will hold its annual “Play-a-thon” tentatively scheduled for Sept. 19 at J.D. Sellars Stadium. Again, admission is free to the all-day event, which will feature a “stadium performance” at 6 p.m.

Fans of the band will be able to have greetings broadcast over the stadium’s sound system to the band for $1, and Sasser says the band will profit from a variety of fundraisers, including a silent auction and dinner While some may say that band is a “frill” that could be eliminated with the school system’s current budget crunch, Sasser sees it differently.

“The kids who are involved with band have fewer dropouts,” he said. He also observed that band members have as a rule higher test scores than their peers.

Band members have to maintain at least a “C” average. If they don’t they have to leave the band.

“In five years, I've only lost one kid to grades,” said Sasser.