Our concert and symphonic bands don’t play at games. There are extracurricular marching and pep bands that play at sporting events. The only potential conflict for a football player might be a fall concert at the same time as a game, but they try not to overlap evening events.

Check with your particular school, I guess is the answer.

all kids are required to perform in pep band at games at our HS, but participation in a conflicting varsity sport (ie Football) would be an excused absence from playing

Depends on the school and on whether you mean being in any band or being in the marching band. At my kid's HS, marching band is one course option for musicians for the fall, with the requirement of playing at football games and some other events. But kids who don't want to be in marching band can sign up for concert band for the fall. In the spring, there are two levels of bands - concert and symphonic - based on playing level. Other schools might have different arrangements, though, so you should check with your kid's high school.

Is it possible to play HS football and be in the band? I ask because I understand a band requirement is to perform at football games.