TEXARKANA MAGAZINE
T he air buzzes with excitement as crowds gather beneath the Friday night lights, eager to cheer for their school. No matter the differences that may exist between the students of Texarkana’s high schools, Friday night football games serve as a unifying force. Despite high school football existing as early as 1870, and the founding of Texarkana occurring a mere three years later, high school football didn’t take root in the twin cities until the early 1900s. However, our late start did nothing to dissuade enthusiasm, and by 1918, a rivalry was born. The Texas-Arkansas football game was a tradition that lasted over a century. Held in the same esteem as the homecoming and playoff games, the community looked forward to it all year. Students enjoyed the build-up as much as the game itself, including special events that were held in preparation for the game—a bacon fry at Texas High and Tiger Tails at Arkansas High—but at the game itself, the level of excitement mimicked most other Friday nights. Students fill stands across this city weekly, dressed in their school colors, proudly representing Texarkana schools, regardless of the opponent.
As contradictory as it may sound, football games aren’t just about football. Some fans of Friday night lights might not even understand the intricacies of the game. Yet, the entire community shows up just the same. They watch the drill team perform their perfectly synchronized routines. They listen to the band belt notes in time to their steps and the color guard flags spinning to the beat. They cheer with the cheerleaders and mascots, their faces painted in Tiger orange or Razorback red, black and gold, or covered in leopard spots. Driving past Tiger Stadium, Razorback Stadium, Harris Field, or Hawk Stadium, all aglow under the Friday night lights, one can witness the packed stands, hear the drumming of excitement in the air, and feel the rush that comes from being a part of something bigger than oneself. The high schools of Texarkana are made up of varying demographics, yet none of that matters when everyone is wearing the same colors, yelling the same chants, and cheering for the same team. That is what football games do; they unify us. Once everything else fades away, whether we’re Tigers, Hawks, Razorbacks, or Leopards, the Friday night lights show us we’re all one community.
26
2023 FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs