When I started out as sports editor here a few years ago, my goal was to be as objective as possible. Try to limit cheerleading for local teams and write about the good, the bad and the controversial — avoid scrapbook journalism, labeling talented prep athletes at heroes, and absolutely no cheering from the press box. In other words, remaining as aloof as possible.

Problem is, by nature I’m not a real controversial guy, while controversy is at the top in the definition of “what is news.”

I am a fan of one of the college teams in the area, but I did not want to be a fan of any particular team I covered. Now, it seems like I’m a fan of every team I cover.

Several of the teams in our area have been struggling for wins so it is quite thrilling when they are able to pull out a big victory. The games between Tooele County teams have been great to cover because the fans at these contests are as pumped up as I have seen fans at any school I’ve covered, including 5A games. Some of these rivalry games almost seem like there’s a state championship on the line.

That kind of enthusiasm is contagious, and it changes your outlook on things. I’ve come around to thinking the sports section is the “toy department” of the newspaper anyway — all about fun. Here are 10 other things I’ve learned covering sports:

1. Kids are champions to their parents no matter the score

I suppose this is a no-brainer and it’s great that young athletes have this unfailing support system to keep things in perspective. Although in a few instances I’ve heard of parents with unrealistic goals for their children, most parents do a good job of keeping perspective.

2. Sports at the high school level should be fun

3. Solid athletic programs take time to build

Fans should keep this in mind when they look at the current state of high school programs in this area and be patient as new coaches implement their systems. A new high school in the area has forced Tooele, Stansbury and Grantsville programs to almost begin again from scratch. Teams will always have up years and down years, but soon one or two of these struggling programs will find the winning formula on a consistent basis.

4. Rivalries are exciting

Tooele and Stansbury already seem to be developing an intense rivalry. Games pitting local Tooele Valley teams against each other have been exciting and extremely competitive.

5. Few high school athletes will play in college

6. Positive recognition does motivate kids and makes them happy for awhile

An entertainment reporter once said he liked to interview actors and actresses because they liked the publicity and promotion, but that he was never received too kindly by professional athletes when he covered sports. High school players relish the coverage when they are the star of the game — or even if their name is mentioned.

7. Familiarity breeds a rivalry

There are a lot of components that make the Utah-BYU rivalry one of the greatest in the nation. A major component is the proximity of the schools plus the annoying fans on both sides who associate on a regular basis and keep each other riled up for most of the year. This seems to already be going on with Stansbury and Tooele. Proximity and playing in the same region will make this a great rivalry.

8. The association with players and coaches is fun

9. Being around young people keeps you young yourself

Sometimes I’m a little immature myself, and perhaps it is an indictment of my lightmindedness at times, but high school students can be some of the most humorous and clever human beings on the planet. I think maybe if I were around them more I might not find them as funny ha-ha but more funny strange. Once, when chuckling at a comment from one of the players, a coach warned me: “Don’t encourage them.”

10. High school players should give full effort — you only go around once

Sometimes the greatest reward is knowing you gave it your all, win or lose.

Mark Watson: mwatson@tooeletranscript.com