Its Friday Night!



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Band prepares to play

 

Falcon fans are loud!



Drum Major Eaton

People always associate Friday nights with high school football here in Alabama.  The players, the coaches, the rivalries.  Everyone loves to root for the home team, the alma mater, or just attend a good game.  The players put in hours of practice and prepare all week, if not all year, for "Friday Night".  But what about the other stuff.  To a pure sports fan they might question what else there is besides the actual game?  But to so many in the stands, as well as so many on the sidelines, they realize ALL that a high school football game encompasses.  First.... 



Majorette Williams

The Band.  The pageantry, the school fight song, the alma mater.  Who doesn't love the big bass drum. You can hear it for a mile outside the stadium announcing that it is Friday Night and it is game time!  Band members practice all summer long.  They work all year.  They get excited not just about helping their team s performance...but the halftime show.  Carleigh Eaton, Drum Major at Florence High School, says "My favorite part of the game is definitely halftime.  It gives us a chance to show the crowd what we really work for."  And make no mistake...band members work hard.  "I wish people understood how much work and effort we put into practicing. We don't just play at football games, we go to competitions throughout the season. We practice twice on week nights, and the percussion have practiced all day on a Saturday.  I attended a camp this summer for 5 days, and I would practice quite often on my own."  It takes a lot to put on a good performance and everyone loves listening and watching a good band.  The color guard the majorettes and the musicians all working together in unison.  Much like a good team.  Jordan Williams, a Florence majorette that started twirling in kindergarten and has been practicing ever since, understands how they must work together, and how much fun it can be.  "the best part is the friends I have made". But she also knows the hard work.  She says the worst part is "the sun at band practice...VERY hot!". 

 2) Cheerleaders.  Talk about a lack of respect.  These girls spend most of their hours behind the scenes making signs, goody bags, working on stunts and cheers...just to have most people dismiss what they do and make fun of them.  The fact is...the game would not be the same without them.  Isn't that what "home field advantage" is all about?  The noise.  The crowd.  These girls are the ones leading the effort to make sure the crowd is loud.  They too spend summers working and practicing.  They sometimes have been tumbling or taking gymnastics since they were young in order to be a better cheerleader. 

Either way - all the things they do go into creating an atmosphere of "nothing is more important than this game" for the players come Friday night.  Caroline Grissom of Muscle Shoals says they practice 8-12 Monday - Friday in the summer..but she "loves everything about it"and  Kayla Blackstock of Rogers concurs they too practice 2 - 4 hrs Monday - Friday and sometimes Saturday but she "loves football and everything to do with it".  

Patrick Twesme says being on the field
in front of people acting
crazy is the best



3) Mascots.  Who doesn't feel like its a bigger deal when the mascot is busy entertaining the fans.  These guys are great fun and add so much to the atmosphere. Wanna talk about a tough job? Ever felt how hot it is in one of those blind heat traps.  Wow!  4) Fans.  From the parents, grandparents, and siblings that come to cheer, to the alumni that still find their way to the stadium years after graduating.  Current students dress up, socialize, paint their chest, scream, yell, and do whatever to release energy and hopefully be able to walk away proud that their team did well.  5) Volunteers.  Think of all the work it takes to line the field.  To run the concession stand.  To make sure every last detail is handled so that all the coaching staff has to worry about is winning.  Yes - it takes a lot of people to make it work.  It involves an entire community.  Friday Nights are special...the games are great...it's truly much more than just a game. Its Friday Night!