Friday Night Lights: a term that encapsulates the memories of Friday evenings in fall – packed bleachers, roaring crowds and of course, nachos. Over the years, however, social circles grow, traditions change and the environment becomes more nostalgic.
When entering her freshman year, junior Emma Vo was excited to attend her first football game. Coming from middle school sports where there was relatively low attendance, Vo looked forward to high school games and the socialization they bring.
“I think the experience of Friday night lights is going there and hanging out with friends, not really to watch the football game, but to socialize,” Vo said. “A lot of people were going because it was our first year, and that was the moment we were waiting for since middle school. We thought it would be like High School Musical, and it sounded so cool, so we didn’t wanna miss out on football games.”
After four years of regularly attending football games, senior Mason Conklin noticed they began to lose their shine as themes were recycled.
“I think the biggest difference is now, everything starts to feel underwhelming because we hear about the themes, and we’ve done them before,” Conklin said. “I feel more responsibility if I go because I feel like I have to cheer, or I have to do something to make it better or else I won’t enjoy it.”
A common tradition for upperclassmen is to go out to eat after the football game. One popular dining location for post-game mingling is In-N-Out, which Vo has observed is growing in popularity to the point of overcrowding.
“It’s like an after party kind of thing, and I feel like it’s gotten so crowded. Literally everyone goes after, and it’s hard to get in,” Vo said. “One time they literally locked the doors.”
Conklin similarly favors going to In-N-Out after games and enjoys the social aspect of students gathering together outside of school hours.
“The most exciting thing is going to In-N-Out after, driving with my friends there and seeing other people on the road, and socially, being at In-N-Out, you also see people from other schools and it’s just a lot of random interactions and stuff you only get to experience if you see people outside of school,” Conklin said.
For underclassmen, participating in traditions can be more difficult. Freshman dance team member Evelyn Morris looks forward to obtaining her drivers license and being able to partake in post-game activities.
“I’m excited to have a car because then I’ll have the freedom to do it myself,” Morris said. “Right now, my mom picks me up after games, and she’s like, ‘Okay, you should go to sleep now,’ but once I’m older, I’ll have the freedom to.”
Joining cheer in her junior year, Vo noticed a shift in energy when attending games as a student and as a cheerleader. Being on the field and playing a role in the spirit of the game has created a whole new environment for Vo, making football games more enjoyable.
“Even though freshman year games were fun, this (being a cheerleader) made it ten times better because I feel more involved. I like to cheer for the student section to make it more fun,” Vo said. “I know more about what’s happening now than when I was in the stands, where I knew nothing about what was going on.”
Morris has experienced similar enjoyment being a member of the Spirit Squad but sometimes feels a sense of FOMO as she sacrifices certain aspects of a football game.
“I definitely have a lot of friends that will sit together in the stands, and we still get to do some of the face paint and stuff, but some of it is a little rushed because we have to perform,” Morris said.
Regardless of grade, many feel football games serve as a welcoming environment for people to spend time together and enjoy themselves.
“I think football is a really fun way to end the week. We only have five games, and even if you’re not into football, you should still come because it’s really fun,” Louie said.