by Sofia Berghoff
School has started back up again, along with football season! At North Springs and many other schools, football season is a huge deal. The players, coaches, students, and even teachers look forward to the season, specifically, the games on Friday nights. These games are known as FNL, Friday Night Lights.
Friday Night Lights are talked about and enjoyed thoroughly by many. They are attended by many students from 9th-12th grade, younger students from the middle schools, and even some elementary schoolers and parents! But why? What even are Friday night lights, and why are they so popular? As an incoming freshman, I had heard so many great things about these games, and was wondering why is football so popular compared to other sports? To find out I interviewed some North Springs students to better understand.
Since there is no exact definition of Friday Night Lights, I asked students to describe what it means to them. Many of the students explained how it is a great opportunity to have time to socialize with people of all ages from school, hang out with friends, and even make new friends.
“Chaotic”. “Exciting”. “Hype”. “Fun”. “Wild”. These are some of the first words that came to mind when students explained why they attend Friday Night Lights.
First, there is also football to watch! Many students play on the team and have friends and family members there to support them. The football games are entertaining no matter the score. If we win, tie, or lose it doesn’t matter. During the games, students sit in the student section. In the student section students have fun doing cheers and being loud. Junior Matthew Pointer described the energy as “great.”
There are also food and drinks that can be purchased and enjoyed while watching the game. Students Jamie Masker and Kate Lott, both sophomores, expressed that the games were fun because they are at night and not during school hours, so they get to be with classmates who did not go to our school.
While all Friday Night Lights draw many students, the most popular one is the Homecoming Game. All the Friday Night Lights lead up to this game because it is (usually) the last one. It is also before the homecoming dance, so many people ask someone or are asked by someone to the dance. It is when homecoming court is announced, players families walk them on the field, and many other exciting things occur.
Gustavo Jones, Junior, mentioned how he has met many new people at FNL, not just from North Springs, but from other schools, too!
Students Matthew Pointer and AJ Wright, both Juniors, also explained how it is a time for everyone to come together and be with classmates outside of school, and allows people to truly get to know each other. Friday night lights is a chance to socialize and meet new people.
Friday night lights also has specific themes, like neon and camo, to boost participation and encourage school spirit. Many students said the themes make the games more fun because students get to dress up. Paula Ortiz, a Junior, mentioned how she enjoyed getting ready for the games and taking pictures with her friends.
From interviewing, I learned that Friday night lights are not just about football games every Friday. Friday Night Lights are times to hang out with friends, have fun, dress up, cheer, be loud, watch football, and meet new people. The nights are enjoyed by students that make an impact for life.
