By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

High school football will unite communities tonight.

And the game itself will be the main attraction.

But the beauty of Friday nights is not just the game itself, but all of the little things that are part of it all.

The sound of the band as you walk from the parking lot to the stadium.

The youth football players and cheerleaders eagerly walking with their uniforms on.

The glow of the lights, which by the middle of the season, act as a beacon of light seen from blocks away. Almost like trying to be the first one to spot a rollercoaster on your drive to an amusement park.

The families bouncing out of cars, grabbing blankets, seats, bags and everything else.

The sounds of pads hitting, cleats click-clacking on the pavement and gloved-hands clapping.

The buzz of conversations on top of conversations by groups of friends that stand on the patios and areas that surround the field.

The echoing voice of the public address announcer.

The whooshing sound of the cheerleaders’ pom-poms and their cadenced chants.

The bustling of volunteers in the concession stands.

The way that the pizza, chili dogs, pretzels and other selections seem to tase better simply because you are at the game.

The chain crew moving up and down the sidelines.

The cowbells piercing through the crisp fall air.

The fight songs, halftime performances and synchronized dance lines.

The unseen work by unknown people to prepare the field and facility.

The facepaint and enthusiasm of the weekly themed student sections.

The radiance of the scoreboard lights against the setting sun, and eventually, the blanket of night.

The pageantry of the National Anthem and the proud raising of the American flag.

The team huddled around its coach at game’s end.

The players singing of the school alma mater song with the student section, fans and band.

The breakthrough signs, oftentimes elaborate and big, designed and painted by the cheerleaders.

The football game is the main attraction, but without it, we would not enjoy all of the little things that help create the atmosphere of what Friday night football feels like.

Capture those moments tonight and throughout the season.

Find your own “little thing” that is not listed here.

You won’t regret it.