Friday Night Football Fever

Texans truly are football nuts. But, although they are passionate about college and pro ball, it is the high school game that truly gets their adrenaline flowing. Sports fans across the nation became aware of this fanaticism in 1990, when H.G. Bissinger wrote the book Friday Night Lights, which chronicled the season of the Odessa Permian Panthers. Recently, that book was made into a movie of the same name. However, if you aren't satisfied to see Texas schoolboy football on the silver screen, why not check out the real Friday Night Lights by attending a game during your visit to Texas?

The Texas High School Football season begins in August and doesn't end until December. During the regular season, games are held at stadiums throughout the state. During the playoffs, most of the games are held in larger, centrally located venues such as the AlamoDome in San Antonio, Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, Kyle Field in College Station, Memorial Stadium in Austin, and Reliant Stadium in Houston. Also during the latter stages of the playoffs, many games switch from Friday kick-offs to Saturday game times. In fact, it is not unusual to see as many as four games in a single day at the more popular stadiums - giving even the most die-hard football fanatic all they can stand of gridiron action.

These late season tilts are regularly attended by fans across the state, not just those of the participating schools. So, there is no need to feel self-conscious about not having a team of your own to root for. Once the opening kick-off is in the air, you'll feel your self being swept along with the wave of passion that is Texas high school football.