State high school football championships have kicked off in New Jersey, with two games tonight at MetLife Stadium.

But some say tailgating has taken attention away from the games and turned it toward the parking lot.

The NJSIAA does allow tailgating, but discourages alcohol at championship games.

"We respect what they're saying," says tailgater Beverly Watson. "We are all on board and we appreciate their effort to protect our kids."

At Redd's in Carlstadt, a group of 70 St. Peter's boosters decided to cancel their tailgate party, and just do it indoors. 

"You know tailgating at a high school game it should be just the food," says Jason Howlett, who canceled his tailgate plans. "And the alcohol, it's understandable. But for them to come out and tell us we can't do this of kind of stuff the state doesn't need to be involved in that."

The NJSIAA posted a message on its website that reads, "High school sports are different, even a state championship football game contested at MetLife Stadium is an extension of the classroom. And you don't allow alcohol or drugs or tailgating at school."