The quirks and perks of Friday Night Lights

Dear high school,

Days can be long and boring. But during football season, the Friday football games pay off for the occasionally grueling school work. From the stands to the field, the exhilaration in the atmosphere is what really brings people together.

To kick off the game, let's talk about the players, who hustle under the luminescent stadium lights while the crowd cheers and hollers. After practicing hard every day, the team shows off their one hundred percent dedication at each game. The ability to experience the euphoric emotion of being watched by your friends, family, or even your rivals is the biggest part of the rush.

Now onto halftime, where the marching band truly shines. As the beat is heard rehearsing again and again to perfect their performance, the band presents its hard work and precise movements. Hitting every dot, note, and motion, the tunes develop excitement in chaos. Meanwhile, the color guard's timing strikes the audience's attention. The combination of careful choreography captures the tale of a new or already known story.

Thankfully, the cheerleaders rouse up the audience with their talents by conducting impressive stunts and coordinated cheers. Pepping up the players and the student section, the cheerleaders approach their performances with step-by-step coordination. Who is going to hold which foot in the next stunt? How close should the flyers' feet be? How will we count so we can all be timed perfectly? These questions are raised so they are ready to roll when the football stadium lights up.

It's always a fun time to watch the dance team awe the crowd. They're here to flaunt it and spin like nobody's watching! They leave it all on the track during the halftime, moving to multiple different styles and songs. Every home game, a new dance is presented; that's just another perk of this time of year! By the end of the game, the stands are roaring and the student section is shining.

Every game holds a new theme: black out, white out, neon night, and more. The rest of the high school students come dressed up and stand in the student section to cheer for their favorite team. Confetti canons, decorated flags, and megaphones are just a few examples of what these students bring to share their school spirit. Their chants are heard all the way from the visiting stands. Freshmen arrive excited to finally sit in the student section, usually towards the top, while seniors guard their spots at the front of the bleachers. Among mayhem, shouting, and pounding, you'll find a sense of belonging. You may look around and see familiar faces or people you have never talked to; however, everyone around shares the same purpose of being there. Though some might be on different teams or grades, each and every one will end up standing and rallying together. You may not be the closest in all in your normal surroundings, but during the Friday Night Lights, the student body connects in shared experiences separate from the classroom. So, thank you Friday night games, for giving students the opportunity to enjoy each other's company. Savoring the fall air and watching the ball kick off would not be traded for the world!

Sincerely,
A Friday Football Fan