friday night lights

Friday Night Lights is a term used to describe the events at Friday evening football games, usually held at the high school level. Football games are not only school sports events but are a place where many communities around the United States gather. They are there to support the student athletes, watch the game, listen to the school band perform, and cheer with the cheering squad. There are often fundraisers held at football games benefitting the school. The concession stands sell food and beverages to the crowd. Football is a game where two teams of 11 players try to move the ball by running or passing across the other team’s goal. This is called a touchdown. Scoring can also occur when the ball is kicked through the goalposts which is called a field goal. Each team has four chances, called downs, to get the ball over the other team’s goal line, while trying to keep the defending team from taking the ball away. To assure that all of the rules of play are followed, line judges and referees govern the game. Cheerleading is a team sport where members of a squad perform choreographed cheers, dances, and routines, while rallying the crowds at football games. Today, cheering is a coed sport, but when it was first introduced in the late 1800’s, it was an all-male sport. The Marching Band is a team of musicians who perform together. They perform the halftime show which is a choreographed routine with music and movement on the field. They support the team in the stands with fight songs, perform the National Anthem, and sometimes play music to accompany the cheerleaders’ routines. They may also play the school song, called the Alma Mater, at the end of games. The leader of the band is called the Drum Major. Other performers, called the Color Guard, often join the band. They do a dance routine within the show performing with flags and other props. For a great time, find out where your local schools are playing and enjoy an evening of Friday Night Lights!