"Clear eyes. Full hearts. Can't lose" -Eric Taylor (Friday Night Lights)
Well ladies and gents, high school football season is upon us. With most teams having played two games already, its time to get ready for rowdy student sections, hoodies, tailgates, and hard knocks. Friday nights in high school are what it's all about. Towns shutting down just to go watch the hometown team whoop their cross-town rival. There is nothing more important than Friday night football.
Friday nights are wearing game jerseys during school. It's the pregame jitters. It's the marching band performing the Star Spangled Banner. It's the first kickoff to the final whistle. It's the roar of the crowd after a big play. It's lining up against your opponent to gain the few inches you need to get that last first down or touchdown. Friday nights are lining up to shake hands after a crushing defeat, or a major win.
Friday nights are being able to live in that moment, with clear eyes, and love in your heart. It's about being able to look your friends in the eye and know you didn't let them down, because you told them the truth.
Whoa, did he just throw in some Gary Gaines? Yes, yes he did.
Friday nights are more than just high school football. It's about bringing an entire city, town, village together to cheer on their boys. It's taking pride in the colors that have been worn since our grandfathers played. It's about playing for that chance at a post season run to a state title.
When school ends and 7 p.m. hits, that's when nothing else matters except winning. Whether you win by a little or by a lot, a win is a win. And a win on Friday night is the only thing that's on everyone's mind.
I miss those days. I miss the heat. I miss the lights. I miss suiting up and giving everything I've got into a game that means so much to me. I love it, I will forever love it. There is nothing like it. Except college game day, but that's another story for another time.
Queue Explosions in the Sky and let that get all up in your feels.
