Reminiscing back to high school football days, Fridays meant game days. It meant repping your jersey to school, the arrival of an anticipated game they had been prepping for all week, and being able to play in front of your neighborhood friends and community all under the lights. Many players say there’s nothing like it.
This weekend the Virginia football team gets to embrace those sentiments one more time as the Hoos go head to head against Boise State this Friday under the lights.
David Dean confirmed the emotions that this weekend’s game will hold. “Anytime you have a night game, the energy of the team is different,” said Dean. Mike Moore, meanwhile, explained the feeling of representing your family, friends, and community out of the football field. “It’s going to be on TV,” he said. “Everyone’s going to be watching.”
As it was in high school, when the players put on their jersey, they’re representing their teammates, their coaching staff, their family, and their school. This pride in their football program is what makes them come out to game day with so much passion.
Playing under the night lights only adds fuel to the fire. Look no further than last season’s Pitt game for a hint at the expected atmosphere. It will be a different experience against Boise State, however, because it is the first Friday night game at Scott Stadium. Players are brought back to the excitement of high school football days with emotions boiling up inside, while fans get to experience the extra energy of it all.
Friday night lights.
Senior Caanan Severin, a captain, affirmed the excitement. At Monday’s practice, a day the team usually has off, the players came out energized with enthusiasm.
“People are excited and flying around,” Severin said. “Everyone’s running around yelling Friday night lights!”
