It's just about time. You sense it in the air. You feel it in your bones. Your sleeping patterns begin to shift. The anticipation is palpable. With one turn of the switch the atmosphere changes. You know what I'm talking about! It's Friday night lights...In South Georgia, nothing compares, nor competes with high school football. It's more than a sport. It's more than tradition. It's a way of life.
Let me explain. My hometown, Waycross (GA), is comfortably nestled in Ware County. This isn't as strange as it may seem. Every county is made up of smaller cities or regions. Therefore, in South Georgia, most schools take on the name of the county. Ware County has approximately 30,000 residents. Our stadium, Memorial Stadium, seats about 10,000. So, I'm no math major, but it seems like that's a third. Right?
One third? Yep! On any given (Friday) night, the stadium will be packed to the rafters.
Over 10,000 will descend on Memorial Stadium to root on the beloved Ware Co. Gators. The city stops on Friday nights. The Gators are front page news. If you want to find out what happened in the rest of the world, get another paper! Or better yet, go live somewhere else. Welcome to the Swamp!Now that you have the plot in mind, let me introduce the remaining 20,000 residents to an alternative. How about Friday Night Lights? What? That's right... Friday Night Lights. But dude, I already told you I wasn't going! I know. I'm speaking of a different team that is coming every Friday night. A team that allows you to follow from the comforts of your own home. A team that will steal your heart. A team that will inspire you to greatness.
Today, you can become a fan of the Dillon Panthers. In an unprecedented move for television, if you don't become a fanatical follower of the Dillon Panthers you can simply get back the price for admission! If the team fails to inspire you, fire them at no cost. If the team loses you, quit and get back what you've put in. Has there ever been an opportunity like this?
Let me ask you. Have you ever wanted to coach high school football?
Ever wanted to be the head man? Have you ever thought of being the starting quarterback or star tailback? Have you been the second string before and hoped for a chance to prove yourself? Ever wanted to recover that game changing fumble? Or thought of taking that interception all the way back to the house?Maybe you've been a cheerleader.
Or maybe you've always wondered what it's like to be one. Maybe you're the spouse of a coach. Maybe you're the parent of a high school athlete. Maybe you're a teacher and understand the pressure that is placed on you by high school football in small town USA. Maybe you're just a fan.Whoever you are and whatever you have dreamed about, it's possible in Friday Night Lights. Trust me... I haven't missed a single episode. Today, go out and purchase "The First Season." Prepare yourself for the start of Season Two. Or tune in to the Friday Night Lights marathon on September 1, starting at 8/7c. Then tune in when TV's best drama returns for The Second Season on Friday, October 5!
Trust me. You'll be hooked. You'll also find yourself loving a pretty cool character named Bo. That wouldn't be the first time... would it?
4 comments:
-bo
Loved the movie. Haven't seen ANY episde of the tv show. Wow. I''m such a tv slacker. Which is weird because I watch a lot of tv!
I guess I get lured in to the History/Discovery Channel vortex most nights.
How about those Braves last night! Poor Marlins. Lydia and I were sitting there watching when Brian McCann came up with the bases loaded. I yelled this one is going out of the park, and Lydia looked at me funny. Then sure enough, SMACK! grand slam... She was like, "How did you know that?!" I said well, the pitcher is struggling pretty bad, the bases are loaded, it's not that unreasonable to think that he'd hit a grand slam. I'm amazing.
Just kidding.
Russ, I can't believe it! I guess it's good in some ways. If you catch one episode, you're hooked for life! Then again, the Discovery Channel can wait. You need to discover this!
Lydia will love FNL! If she's watching the Braves with you, she'll definitely thank you for getting this. Unlike the Braves, there's no disappointment here. The show really is amazing... just like you I guess!
So, where are you on a Friday night? With the Cats or Vikings?
-bo
I guess I would have to say BOTH!! I've not been to either but I want to try and catch some of both. I have a student who is on the Valdosta team, and I have another student who is a soccer player for Lowndes, so I get a double dose! Which is good because I love sports!
Russ, nothing wrong with a little double dose of sports!
As long as it doesn't include dog fighting... that's not much of a sport. Just watch the UFC for that!
Post a Comment