Friday Night Lights Withdrawal is Real — But Here Comes the Fun Have you ever driven in Fort Worth down Lancaster Street early in the morning? That’s where I feel like I belong right now; talking to myself, eating air biscuits, and wondering how anyone in their right mind survives without Friday Night Football. The bye week had me jittery, pacing like I’m in football withdrawals. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad if we weren’t sitting at 0-5, but here we are. And if I look calm on the outside, don’t be fooled, it’s only because my panic is taking a nap. But here’s the truth: we got this, y’all. Walking through the locker room the other day, arms full of posters, I was smacked in the face with the smell of 30+ teenage boys. And let me tell you, it’s a smell you don’t forget. But weirdly enough, that foul odor helped me shake some of the nerves. Because that stench? That’s the smell of football. That’s the smell of boys giving their all, pouring sweat into a game they love. And it reminded me; this isn’t mine to carry. The weight of winning or losing belongs to them. These boys are the ones living out the best days of their lives. I’m just here for the show. And believe me, they don’t want to be THAT team. If you’ve been around Glen Rose football long enough, you know exactly what I mean. But I refuse to focus on that. I’m not thinking about smelly shirts or nose-burning socks. I’m focused on the strength and determination these young men carry onto the field every week. Now let’s be honest, the locker room isn’t the only thing that reeks. Sometimes, the stands do too. And no, I don’t mean nachos or spilled Dr. Pepper. I’m talking about the poison that comes out of so-called fans’ mouths. I’ll say it again, if you’ve got a problem with the coaching, then go to the coaches. Don’t use Facebook. Don’t use the stands. The players, the parents, the coaches’ wives, and the kids around you don’t need to hear that garbage. I’d rather camp out overnight in that locker room and breathe in its aroma than listen to another disgruntled fan spewing bitterness. These boys trust their coaches. If they didn’t, they wouldn’t keep showing up to play. That being said, this bye week had me restless. I can’t wait to see what a little rest and preparation has done for this team. If the Tigers come out against the Purple monstrosities like they did against Alvarado, let’s just say their bus ride back to the “town of the gangster dogs” will be a quiet one. (Yes, they’ve got a wild pack running loose. Look it up.) Senior parents, this next part is for you. The final stretch is here. For some of these boys, this is it, the last hugs after the game, the last time they search the stands for your smile, the last time you’ll wish them good luck before kickoff. In a few weeks, you'll see him ride the Homecoming float one last time. He will experience his last team dinner and last huddle. Soon, you’ll be walking with your son across that field on Senior Night. Moms will be fighting back tears that smudge their makeup. Dads will be acting tough, trying not to let the pride, and the pain, spill out of their eyes. These are the last moments of a chapter you’ll never get back. Don’t waste them. Even if your boy doesn’t want to talk about the game afterward, a simple “I’m proud of you” will mean more than you realize. And if you need to cry, let it out. You won’t be alone. There’ll be plenty of other moms and dads doing the same thing. So here we stand, folks. The finish line is in sight. This is that moment when runners take a deep breath, glance to the left and right, and prepare to dig deep for the sprint. The last five games of the regular season are here, and it’s about to get fun. I hope this week brings the return of our fans. I hope the stands are packed, the noise is deafening, and the pride in Glen Rose football is louder than it’s ever been. These boys deserve it. They’re ready to fight. So let’s fill the wagon, get loud, and show them we’re right there with them. Because I believe the beginning of something great starts this week. Show up. Show out. Get loud. Go Tigers!