Question of the Week: What does ‘Friday Night Lights’ mean to you?

QUINCY — What does “Friday Night Lights” mean to you?

That was the question we posed to several area football players and coaches during the week leading up to the season opener.

Here are some of the responses:

“When I think of Friday Night Lights, I get excited inside. Thinking of the cheers, the pads clashing, the constant yelling, it’s exhilarating. There is no better feeling than walking out on to the field with your guys by your side, ready to play your hardest. Friday Night Lights can create an atmosphere and feeling you’ll find nowhere else.”

— Mark Twain running back Lakoda Preston

“When I hear Friday Night Lights, it brings me a lot of excitement. Playing a sport with some of your best friends is pretty awesome, and also having the pride of playing for your town and the community coming out and having your back and watching all your games.”

— Macomb quarterback Jack Duncan

“Friday Night Lights are the days I wait for and I love getting prepared for. The feeling of Friday Night Lights, it’s just a great feeling. with all of the people that come out to watch for you and yelling and cheering for you. I love coming out to play for the people that believe in the team and I. I enjoy showing them what we can do as a team. It’s just a great experience to be a part of.”

— Quincy High School senior running back Brian Douglas

“Football, anxious and excited.”

— Hannibal cornerback/running back Markahl Humphrey

“It’s on. It’s payday. We had 18 practices this summer. We had 12 practices in training camp. We’ve been lifting four days per week since last November. Friday night is time to cash the checks. It’s payday. This is what we do all the work for. It’s on.”

— Quincy Notre Dame coach Jack Cornell

“When I think of the term Friday Night Lights, I think of the anticipation of the first snap. Waiting all offseason and working in silence for the chance to represent my school and community to the best of my ability.”

— Unity-Payson quarterback Ryle Duke

“If you give me one word, it’s special. Friday nights are special. What a great way to start your fall and start your school year. Just the memories of all the guys who have played with us in the past, and when you walk down that fence, you see them and you see some of their kids starting to play. It brings back a lot of good memories of great experiences. What a great way to bring a community together with Friday Night Lights.”

— Brown County coach Tom Little

“It’s a feeling like no other. Getting to go out and play in front of your town with your best friends. There’s no better feeling than that.”

— Monroe City wide receiver/defensive back Waylon DeGrave