Cadet Jessica Lankford hands out American flags to spectators as they enter the stadium for Friday night's game at North Augusta. MICHAEL HOLAHAN/STAFF

Before Silver Bluff's game against Swansea, fans said the Lord's Prayer and then recited the Pledge of Allegiance after the playing of the national anthem.

The tribute continued at halftime as Silver Bluff band member Gina Gonzalez's uncle Alvaro Torres, an American Ambassador to Costa Rica, was honored for escaping the attacks on the World Trade Center.

An American flag flies from a car in the parking lot as Augusta Christian warms up for their game against Pinewood. JIM BLAYLOCK/STAFF

Torres was in his office in the South Tower when the first plane struck. He and his colleagues were in the stairwell on the 31st floor when the building collapsed, but Torres survived the tragedy.

At Edmund Burke Academy's game against Brentwood in Waynesboro, Ga., both teams entered the field by busting through an American flag banner that read ''God Bless America.''

A candlelight service, scripture reading and a prayer for the country and both teams also were part of the activities at Edmund Burke. Balloons in red, white and blue were released from the field.

Joseph Lyon (left) and Wesley Adams, sixth-grade students at Augusta Christian Day School, sign a banner before the start of the Augusta Christian game. The banner will be given to Congressman Charlie Norwood to take to Washington, D.C. JIM BLAYLOCK/STAFF

At Barnwell High School, a moment of silent prayer was held before the contest with Midland Valley. After a stirring rendition of the national anthem, red, white and blue balloons were released in the air.

In Johnston, S.C., the Strom Thurmond band played America the Beautiful at halftime of its game against Union.