Whether you are a die-hard football fan or just a casual observer, there is no doubt you could be part of a community every week that supports teams from your school.

High school football in rural communities, especially locations in Appalachia or the South, brings rabid fans together every Friday night.

There is something about those late summer and early autumn evenings that many look forward to.

You may have a family connection with a specific team, the cheerleading squad or the marching band. Or you may just be the alumni of a certain high school who still loves to cheer and support your team.

We are lucky to have some outstanding football teams and players in this region. It has been that way for many years. If you look at history books, you will read about some great teams and players through the years from every community.

Many of those old schools are gone now thanks to consolidation. But it still seems fans have jumped on the bandwagon for some of the new schools and have joined together to wear new team colors and watch a new generation of athletes perform each week.

Then, on Saturdays, most true sports fans have a favorite college team for which they root. Many of us live and die with our teams. If they lose or blow a big game it stays with us for days – or at least until they win the next game.

In this area, there are die-hard fans of the University of Kentucky, West Virginia University and Marshall University.

Then come Sunday, many sports fans tune in to the NFL professional games. Now, thanks to TV ratings, games are also on Thursday and Monday nights for the pros and come playoff time on Saturdays. There are so many games that are televised. With the streaming channels, even more games are available to watch if you want to subscribe.

But the heart of football is still those Friday night lights of high school football. Even middle school and youth league games are a big part of many small towns.

People rally around sports teams of all kinds everywhere, but it seems even more special in rural areas and small southern towns.

The rivalry with a cross-county school or a school in your classification makes things even more intense and exciting for fans.

Beginning the first of August until the season starts, followers of certain teams start discussing their favorite teams, players and coaches and what kind of season they might have. Optimism is always positive at first. Sometimes it continues with a good winning year and sometimes the disappointment comes if your favorite team loses a few games.

The game day experience, from tailgating traditions to packed stadiums, shows the enthusiasm. Tailgating is a popular pregame ritual for high school and college fans. It is a pregame ritual that involves great food, friends and fans.

There is a certain pride of fandom for those in most communities. There are many traditions and even superstitious rituals by many die-hard fans.

Of course, there are certain games earmarked for the players, parents and others. Senior night, homecoming with the queens and kings, and other special events some schools and administrations plan to help make the games an even bigger happening.

It is a big part of the culture of Appalachia and small U.S. towns. Fans wear their favorite teams’ colors in T-shirts and sweatshirts or an old jersey from their own playing days.

Many memories are made on these football weekends. You still hear former players or fans talk about the glory days when some special players and teams had a great season. That will never change.

Sometimes there are big smiles and hugs and other times tears and disappointment. But fans still support their favorite schools and teams.

Football is family and a way of life for many in small-town America.

So, until next time, grab your favorite team sweatshirt and head on out to those Friday night lights and enjoy a good football game.

(Kyle Lovern is a longtime journalist in the Tug Valley. He is now a retired freelance writer and columnist for the Mountain Citizen.)