SHAKER HEIGHTS, Ohio — It was an electric and historic night in Shaker Heights on Friday. It marked the first ever Friday Night Lights football game.

What You Need To Know

  • First Friday Night Lights football game in Shaker Heights after more than 100 years of day games

  • 1,800 people came out in support of the players

  • Five night practices and four games are expected this fall and other sports may be considered in the future
For more than 100 years the district has hosted day games only, and fans and the community could not have been more excited to see their team play under the lights.

 

 

It’s a traditional high school memory that these students are making for the first time.

“It is really amazing and they’re very excited to play at night," said Alyson Garfield, a sophomore at Shaker Heights High School.

She's part of the band and a manager for the freshman and junior varsity football teams.

 

“Oh, it means a lot," said Carrie Collins while sitting in the stands.

She's called Shaker Heights home for more than 30 years and has had children and grandchildren graduate from the school district.

The team usually plays at home on Saturday afternoons.

The games tend to draw a small crowd. But about 1,800 people came out in support of the first Shaker Heights Friday Night Lights.

“It’s just a big deal. It’s good for the community. It’s good for the kids and I think it’s just good all around," said Collins.

It was the one and only home night football game this season and it was a good one.

Shaker Heights defeated Garfield Heights.

 

Students told Spectrum News that COVID-19 took away so much of their high school experience and that made them appreciate this moment even more.

“I think we’re more excited than we would have been because I think we’re going to try to have more fun than we would have because we missed everything," said Evan Barragate.

Evan, who was in the student section, is a junior at Shaker Heights High School. 

“We’re looking forward to a good season. Just going to come to as many games as we can," said Adrik Dutta, a Shaker Heights High School junior who was cheering on his fellow Raiders next to Barragate.

Five stadium lights are on for five night practices and four games this fall.

It’s a test run for sports including field hockey, soccer and football.

“What does it look like from a logistical standpoint, what does it look like from a security standpoint, a police standpoint, a ticketing standpoint? So, there’s a lot involved with holding an event and for us to try to go zero to 100 and say we’re going to go every single night, every single game this fall as a night event, I don’t think would be conducive to doing this the right way," said Mike Babinec, athletic director for the Shaker Heights City Schools.

One girl’s and one boy’s soccer game in October will conclude the temporary stadium lighting this year, but the hope is for the lights to become a permanent fixture in the future.

“I want it to stick around forever," said Collins.

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