It’s high school football in Texas, and it’s the stuff of books, movies, television shows and dreams.
Across Texas on Friday night the games began.
Belton fan Leonard Harris summed up the excitement of Texas high school football: “Your adrenaline gets going. Everything feels so good. It gets you hyped up. It’s hard to describe. I love it. Ain’t nothing like Friday night.”
Big Red fans in Belton had to wait about 30 minutes for their game to commence against the Boerne Greyhounds due to lightning in the area. That just gave them time to gather under the stands, talk about football and let the anticipation build.
“Oh, it’s so exciting,” Belton school board President Randy Pittenger said before joining in a game with band members to pass the time. “We’re optimistic we’re going to have a great year. The enthusiasm of the kids is high.”
Pittenger said Friday nights are more than just the football players on the field - it includes all the other students involved through the band, cheerleading and drill team.
“It generates that Big Red enthusiasm,” he said. “We love it.”
The delay also gave the Marching 100 band’s sign crew time to tape a sign that the wind shredded.
“We put the wrong sign on,” sophomore Stephanie Rafael said. “We were trying to change it and the wind didn’t help.”
She looked forward to the start of the game.
“It’s like a lot of fun,” she said. “We’re in the stands, screaming, playing, dancing, having a good time.”
Scott McShannon, who brought his family, stood talking with his friend, who only gave his name as Goose - a Temple High School fan.
“We like the rivalry,” McShannon said.
“Plus there’s a new coach,” Goose said about Rodney Southern’s first game with the Tigers.
“I want to see how the new coach does, how the team’s revamped,” McShannon said.
After the lightning moved out of the area, students and other fans swarmed into the stands. Belton senior Tori Seiler stood with her friends holding signs and getting ready for the night.
“It’s just being with friends,” she said about the fun of Friday nights. “It’s to support our guys. I know they don’t always have the best season, but they work hard.”
