Its the time of the year where it becomes one and done, win or go home. Its the high school football playoffs. The boys get a chance to shine on a big stage as they fight for state supremacy, and it's a big money maker in the process. But do you know where your ticket money is going?

The stands are packed and the teams are ready. Marion and Decorah both want to reach the finals.

"From everything Im hearing it should be a hard fought contest, Corby Laube said, the Marion Athletic Director.

With each game and each ticket, high school playoff football is a big money maker.

"Our gate receipts for all our sports is our biggest revenue for activities, Laube said.

But Marion actually isn't bringing that much; just 10 percent of the total ticket sales. The rest goes to the Iowa High School Athletics Association.

"Marion gets a little bit to hopefully pay for the lights and some of the other costs, Greg Van Gorp said, a Marion parent.

But in a tight economy, some parents wish the schools could get a little bigger piece of the pie.

"Maybe a 25% allocation to the home team would be a better cut," Van Gorp said.

Still, the athletics association's executive director says the money it gets is going back to the students, paying for travel expenses, officials, trophies, even insurance for the players who don't have it.

Marion's athletic director says he's more concerned about what happens on the field, than how much they get back for hosting the game.

"Its great for the kids, that's what you're here for is the student athletes," Laube said.

But some parents hope the money issue will change in the future.

"Hopefully someday it will get worked out so there's a little more equitable split, Van Gorp said.Where Does High School Playoff Revenue Go?