ALLEN, Texas - For so many people across the nation, it is viewed as the ultimate example of athletics over academics - proof that high school football may just be its own religion in Texas.

That's what happens when you build a $60 million high school football stadium. That's right ... $60 million for a high school football stadium.

But for the locals, it remains a necessity, not a novelty. And they don't mind saying so.

Just ask Nolan Srader.

As he sits in one of the few "reserved" sections of the current outdated stadium - meaning he is guaranteed a seat at the game but no other modern convienences, like a seat back - Srader is eager to tell a stranger about his love of high school football.

And he says he has no reservations or apologies for the pride he has for his town, its football team, and its now-infamous stadium project.

The 17-year resident of Allen - a suburb 25 miles north of Dallas - said he and the rest of the now booming municipality can't wait for 2012, when the town will open an 18,000 seat stadium complete with jumbo scoreboards, large concourses, huge concession areas and plenty of restrooms.

"We are pumped about it," he said.

Srader, however, said he understands why some people may not be.

"We have taken a little bit of grief because of the economy and education cutbacks, but this town is a one-school town," he said during halftime of the school's latest victory last Friday night. "We are all involved."

It is the all-in approach that got the bond to build the stadium passed in 2009. A bond, locals always point out, that was for much more than just a football stadium.

The stadium, scheduled to open next fall, was part of a larger $120 million bond that included a state-of-the-art auditorium for performance arts among other things.

"The bond we passed was not just for a new stadium," Srader said. "We are getting a state of the art performance center and a lot of other things out of this. The school and the Allen ISD can do so much more with this bond; our kids are going to have opportunities that no one else will have.

"One in six kids at the school are in the band, that is amazing. Their education will be improved. We get some flack for it, but I don't think anyone has any regrets whatsoever."

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Allen was one of the fastest growing towns in the country last decade. And unlike other towns in sprawling suburbs north of Dallas, it opted for the single-school approach - meaning everyone in the town would go to the same high school.

Today, that high school has an enrollment of 3,855 and is just hosting 10-12 with another 1,395 freshman in another building. And it costs money to care for that many kids.

The year before the $120 million bond for the stadium and arts center, the town approved an even larger bond ($219 million) in November of 2008 to build two new elementary schools, purchase 45 school buses and make improvements on the middle schools in the district.

Steve Williams, the school's athletic director, said the votes spoke volumes about the people.

"Our community supports us on all levels," he said. "I think that has to be part and parcel. You cannot get to the level that we have if only the parents of the kids who are involved are supporting the teams. It would be impossible to do it with that level of involvement. It takes everyone and we feel like everyone wants to be a part of what is happening at Allen."

He, like Srader, does not make apologies to critics.

"There are hard times in Texas with education and that kind of stuff so we have taken some hits because of this," he said. "But heaven knows that our stadium is outdated. It simply doesn't meet the needs of our population anymore. We don't have enough facilities, our press box isn't up to standards we have at Allen; the concession stands are too small. The thing was built in the mid-70s and we were a 3A school then. Now we are one of the largest in 5A; its usefulness is gone."

The new stadium, being built on the high school campus next to the athletics offices is about 30 percent complete. The majority of the concrete substructure is in place but plenty of work still remains.

The town has grown a bit tired of talking about the project, but understands such talk isn't going to go away. In fact, they are prepared for another round of this week as the school's game with Plano (Texas) East is being televised nationally.

The stadium - and its price tag - certainly will be one of the main story lines to the coverage.

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Allen currently is ranked as the No. 1 team in the nation, according to the RivalsHigh 100.

Of course, the team usually is well thought of - what with it having won the Texas Class 5A Division I state title and finishing No. 2 in the country in 2008.

Interestingly, the team's stadium was a part of the conversation for most of that title run, too.

Just not in a good way.

To accommodate the growth in the area, the school district has been adding temporary bleachers to the current stadium, creating a Lego-like structure with the desire for additional seats - no matter where they were - the top priority.

"I think in about 2007 we started calling this 'Our Double Wide with Pride,'" Srader said. "I mean look around, there are makeshift bleachers all over the place, just packing in people to wherever they will fit."

The current seating situation is a mess. Some seats don't have a clear view of the playing field. It has been the subject of many taunts from other fan bases.

"A few years back people from some other schools started making fun of our stadium on some message boards, calling it a dump and all kind of other things," Srader said. "We will miss it because it has seen some good times, but we are looking forward to the new stadium."

One, Williams and others argue, is a necessity not a luxury.

"You cannot have programs like we do in the metroplex, or in other parts of Texas, without it being part of the culture of the people," he said. "There will be 14,000 people out at the game this week to play a team that is not having the best of years, but it is an event. People come to watch the game, to see good football, see a great band, to see their neighbors."

Simply put, Friday Night Lights is a way of life.

"We have folks that have had season tickets for 25 years and they come because that is what they do on Friday night it is part of the daily life," he said. "I am sure there are passionate fans in other states and maybe they can match Texas, but I know they cannot exceed what we have here."

The new Allen Stadium is on pace to open for the 2012 football season. A game with another traditional power, Southlake (Texas) Carroll, will christen the building.

"There haven't been many rainy days down here," Williams said. "We will probably be done early. But with a team like Southlake coming for the first game, the 18,000 seats probably still won't be enough."

It's hard to put a price on that.