Friday night lights.

It’s a term used by sports fans to recognize high school football. And high school football will always be associated with the fall season, cool (to cold) temperatures, rabid fans in school colors, school bands playing and parking lots jam packed.

And we almost missed it in this chaotic year of 2020.

Fortunately, some of those rabid fans, mothers and fathers, coaches and teachers, didn’t want to settle for no Friday night lights in 2020. On Monday, the MSHSL reverted their decision earlier this year to move high school football and volleyball to the spring season of 2021.

Great job to everyone who stood up to the establishment.

It almost seemed preposterous that the State of Minnesota would stick to their mandate while all professional sports teams have returned and almost every other state in the union reinstated fall football and volleyball. Thank God the board of the MSHSL took heed and listened to the voices of those who really matter in this state. The students, the players, the parents and the coaches.

Bravo.

I’ve covered a lot of high school football games through the years as a reporter for the Citizen-Tribune and now the Patriot. Being a football fan has made the “job” of covering the sport easily enjoyable.

It’s funny, there are times I get so caught up in the action, I forget to snap pictures on my camera.

What really gives me the chills (besides the cold weather) is seeing the stands congested with fans of all ages. Little kids running around with friends, stopping for a concession or screaming for their favorite player on the field.

The student section — ripe with jubilant students decked out in school colors or game-specific themes. Such enthusiasm, such school spirit.

The school band — belting out the theme from Rocky or the song, We Will Rock You. Just the sound of the brass instruments and the percussion really gets you in the mood for tossing the pigskin.

And then there’s the piped-in music from the booth up top. How can one not get all fired up hearing Ozzy Osbourne sing Crazy Train? Or, when the game is over, the velvety vocals of Neil Diamond singing, Sweet Caroline.

Ahhhh, now that’s football on Friday nights.

Welcome back.