While fighting skill was critical in the arena, the spectators played an active role and could vote thumbs up or thumbs down whether a gladiator lived or died.

FORBES: Move up http://i.forbesimg.com t Move down

It was a tough game (that I ended up live-tweeting) for a young Richards squad that started a sophomore at quarterback, had underclassmen at most of its skill positions, and was fighting against a senior-laden offensive line whose lightest member was 255 pounds, and a sophisticated passing offense the New England Patriots could be proud of.

FORBES: High School Football, Politics, And the Sudden, Bitter End