Nothing is better than being under those bright stadium lights every Friday. The atmosphere brings students, parents, and players together. The lights shine bright, the band plays loud, and the student section comes alive. For the players on the field, that energy can make all the difference.
Sophomore Ethan Risher said the student section helps him lock in.
“It really just gets me pumped up for the game, makes me actually want to be there. It’s pretty fun,” Risher said.
He admits that certain sounds stand out while he’s playing,
“I do notice them, especially whenever there’s the air horn. That gets kind of annoying sometimes,” Risher said.
Still, Risher said one game in particular stood out.
“Soddy Daisy, that was a big one. Just [the student section’s] reaction after that long ball and everything else, it was nice,” Risher said.
Sophomore Eli Whaley shares a similar view.
“It affects my game when they get loud, I like the train horn and they’re just there to support, so it makes me play better overall,” Whaley said.
He added that the crowd makes a noticeable difference during big moments,
“I hear them when big plays happen, and I’ve got friends always screaming my name,” Whaley said.
While more people showing up would help, the section already brings a lot of energy.
“When the crowd gets loud, I feel more energized, not pressured. It’s just a bunch of support,” Whaley said.
For senior Bubba Willis, the energy from the stands has an even deeper impact.
“The student section affects my game exponentially, whenever you’re going through a long drive and you’re down, and you look up and everybody’s cheering you on, you’re just like, dude, I gotta do this. Not just for me, I gotta do it for them,” Willis said.
He mentioned that even when he doesn’t hear the crowd, he can feel them.
“It’s like a weird feeling. I don’t hear them, but I can feel them. You know they’re there,” Willis said.
On the other side of the field, up in the stands the student section leaders work hard to bring that atmosphere to life. Senior Logan Moore said his favorite Friday Night Lights theme was Pinkout.
“For me, it’s just really getting hype and bringing excitement even if we’re losing. It’s just that enjoyment of being at a football game with all your friends and having a good time,” Moore said.
Painting up can take an hour or more, but it’s worth it to get everyone excited.
Sophomore Ryan Myers, said his favorite theme was Blackout.
“Just being up front and being in all the hype and excitement, it’s super fun,” Myers said.
Although the student section is great there are always ways to improve,
“[We need] more chants and more people show up,” Myers said
From the field to the stands, one thing is clear, the student section’s energy doesn’t go unnoticed. Whether it’s the blare of the train horn or the roar after each touchdown. Looking into the stands every Friday night and seeing that sea of black, pink, or paint keeps the team’s spirit alive and brings the energy up every time.
