FOOTBALL FRIDAY: Who's Ready for Kickoff?

After Friday Night Lights, the NBC drama about a high school football team in Texas, ended its five-season run this summer, I immediately began craving the return of football season.

Sure, I'm a sports fan, but there's nothing else like the atmosphere at a high school football game. Hundreds of people come together once a week to support each other and take part in this huge social event. 

In the show's first season, coach Eric Taylor tells his players, "A few will never give up on you," talking about the fans who didn't give up on the team throughout a tumultuous season. He's talking about that sense of community that's so rare in life, yet so often found at football games.

That TV show was about football, but it was more importantly about community. It wasn't just players and coaches, it was cheerleaders and fans and boosters, too.

This season, you can expect coverage of the games—scores, stats, video highlights—but also stories about the fans and the community that surround high school football.

Today, we introduce Football Friday, a weekly rundown of everything we've covered and more you'll want to know heading into the big game. But this is your site, and we want you to get involved. Send us your fan photos and video. Tell us what you think is the best part of the game. And check back every week for some great coverage.

Game of the Week

We'll be at the opening game between and , so watch for us in the stands and on the sidelines. They play at 7 p.m. Friday at North. Last year, the Knights were 1-8 and will continue rebuilding this season. North, on the other hand, finished the season 7-2 and was knocked out of the playoffs in the second round. More games:

• plays Morgan Park at 5:15 p.m. in Chicago
• and Edwardsville match up at Illinios State University at 6 p.m.
• plays at Joliet Central at 1 p.m. Saturday

Get Connected

Today we're also introducing the Lincoln-Way Sports Fans group on Facebook. It's a forum for fans in the Lincoln-Way High School District to talk sports. Whether you're a Griffin, Knight, Phoenix or Warrior, alumni, current students, coaches, teachers, administrators and all members of the community are welcome to join and invite others!

Also follow @PatchPreps on Twitter for instant scores and updates. You can get them directly to your phone or check in when you please.

Want More Coverage?

Check back every week for game coverage, video highlights and athlete profiles. Here's some season previews and profiles of the bands and boosters:

Football Season Previews

Check our weekly power rankings, which has Lincoln-Way East on top to start the season.

Marching Bands Prepare

Athletics Boosters Need Help