Sept. 15, 2008, was a notable day in the long history of high school football. In front of more than 31,000 in the stands at Southern Methodist University's Ford Stadium, Miami Northwestern ended Texas dynasty Southlake Carroll's 49-game win streak with a 29-21 victory. While that itself was noteworthy, something of a bigger scale was propagating.

The matchup wasn't the first between teams from different states. It wasn't the first high school game on television — not even the first on national television.

But it was the high school game on television.

USA Today and ESPN had the schools ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in their national polls. Deion Sanders and Michael Irvin both watched from the sidelines as ESPNU fed the action to a nationwide audience. It may not have been the birth of interstate high school football, but it was the lighter fluid that kicked off the tailgate.

It's an annual event now — ESPN ushering in the new football season with a showcase of interstate high school matchups. And it's evidence of what feels like a growing trend in high school football to start the season with games versus out-of-state teams.

What once was very local and regional is expanding. Whether that expansion is a good thing is up for debate.

Why interstate?

The backstory of interstate matchups for many teams isn't as elitist or grandiose as fans and outsiders might imagine.

"The reason we were forced to do it was because we couldn't find games," Southlake Carroll head coach Hal Wasson said. "I don't personally like to do it. I'd rather stay in state because we have some great teams to play and some great competition."

For programs like Southlake Carroll, which won a string of four state titles in five years between 2002 and 2006, finding teams willing to play them became a challenge. When dates on their schedule were left unfilled, they had to expand their options.

Aledo, another storied program in Texas high school football, has also stepped out of state several times in recent years. Bearcats coach Steve Wood, like Wasson, said it's often a matter of necessity.

"We don't necessarily look to do it," he said. "The real reason behind it is just to fill our schedule."

Follow the money

But it is happening more often. A lot of that can likely be tied to media exposure. With more media outlets than ever, it's easier to drum up interest. And of course, like with many other sports, there's a money factor.

"We're constantly being contacted by people who somewhat broker these kinds of events," Wood said, while cautioning against seeking interstate matchups for the wrong reasons. "You've got to be careful with it. I could see where it becomes a problem, definitely. It's just a growing trend in athletics in general, with a lot people out there looking to make money."

Wasson also has growing concerns about where high school football could be headed.

"I never want to lose the integrity of the game of high school football. I think it's the purest form of entertainment in the country," he said. "Is it good to give kids exposure? Absolutely. It is good for them to play in amazing venues? Without a doubt.

"But I think we have to be really careful about where we're headed. Do I have the answer? Absolutely not, but I know what the integrity of the game looks like. I know what the present moment looks like. I know what high school sports means to communities and bringing people together. I know what that looks like, and I just don't want to lose it."

There are upsides

As coaches of teams who regularly play interstate games, both Wasson and Wood admit there are some positives.

"Now, have I had fun playing Tulsa Union? Yes, absolutely," Wasson said. "They're a first-class operation and always a top-tier team."

Wood pointed out that a lot of teams from other states take an interest in playing in Texas.

"A lot of other states like to come here," he said. "Other states rank Texas high school football up there pretty high, and they want to come experience it and see where they stand and get the whole Texas high school football experience for their kids."

That was the case this month, when Westlake High School from Westlake Village, California, trekked to Aledo. In the days prior to the game itself, the teams shared practice facilities and even had a meal together in which opposing teams' players shared tables.

"They experienced Texas, and we got to hear a little bit about California," Wood said.

There are downsides

Interstate matchups can be intense. Sometimes too intense. A state like Texas takes pride in all it does, including high school football. Texas teams often feel they're playing for more than just school pride with they line up across teams from other states.

That's an easy sell to Texans. Suddenly, there's a lot of pressure on the players.

Most will tell you they welcome the pressure, and that may be true. But Euless Trinity coach Chris Jensen is quite certain his team's marquee matchup against De La Salle (California) last season took its toll on his team. De La Salle entered the game ranked No. 1 in the country — and lost.

Trinity, meanwhile, marched on to an undefeated regular season but was upset in the first round of the playoffs. Jensen doesn't come anywhere near blaming the playoff loss on his team's opener against De La Salle, but pointed out it changed the dynamic of how games felt.

"It was like we played our Super Bowl in the first week," he said.

Keep it in perspective

While we're far from average high school teams playing a national schedule, there's evidence that teams are looking to expand their horizons when filling out their fall weekends. Some by necessity; others for the experience.

Regardless of each school's reasons, Wasson has one plea on behalf of the game to keep it from getting out of hand.

"I think the key is just to keep it in perspective," he said.