Pinson Valley High School - Chieftain Yearbook (Pinson, AL)

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fm X BJ I B (Top) Howard Jones and Mark Elsberry show intense concentration during the heat of the game. Though Gardendale (Above) won the game, the Marching Chiefs stole the show, R, Rutherford (Right) IS a member of the most dedicated group of all: the cheerleaders 18 FRIDA YS

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Fridays. It ' s a beautiful word any time of the year, but there is a special magic about the day during the fall. At Pinson Valley High School, fall Fridays bring to mi ' the weekly football game, arou which the activities of the entire d are built. In the mornings, you can fi i: the enthusiasm of the game building and in the afternoons people scramble to buy early tickets in the lunchroom. At this time, though, the energy that Football Friday generates is just begin- ning to build. A typical Football Friday is divided into three parts: the pep ral- ly, the game, and the post-game events. The Pep Rally The most outstanding feature of a pep rally is people. People who get to dress up in costumes, and make fool of themselves. People who cheer dance, or flip flags. People who are gc ing to go out that night and give 110 percent on the field. People, other highlights, include muddled music from a thousand dollar sound system and a spirit competition that is always won by another class. After the pep rally, everybody goes home to prepare for the game itself. Football players psyche themselves up for their opponent, wondering if Bigfoot, the other team ' s 380- pound tackle with steel teeth and one eye is going to be paroled in time to play. Band members hope they are not the lucky ones who get to play Taps, or that they don ' t get hit by a color guard member. Cheerleaders pray they don ' t mess up in front of all those people, and that Bigfoot leaves enough of their boyfriends to recognize after the game. The Game As game itself approaches, the sky becomes darker, the temperature drops into the forties and the skies barely holds off the rains. Pep Rallies . C. Smith (Bottom) is all ears (Top) The Fresh-men. Softmores. Juniors and Senors FRIDAYS 17

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The Game Braving wind and ram are (Top) Robin Fowler and a friend (Middle Left) Dances proved this year to be a popular way to end a Friday (Middle Right) The Student Section awaits with anticipation, and blankets (Bottom) The band prepares for another song contest with the opposing band Then hundreds of cars begin to pack the parking lot and the stands fill up. The pre-game festivities con- clude as the two teams come out to warm-up and everyone makes a last-minute dash to the concession stand or bathroom. Finally, the game actually begins. Forty-eight minutes of football takes about two and one-half hours, and as the temperature plunges into the high 30 ' s and drops of ram begin to fall, the fans wonder if it was worth the trouble (and the money). This year, at least, the answer was a re- sounding YES as the Indians pounded their way to the state playoffs. Post-Game Once the game ends, there are a number of things people can do. A few go straight home with good old- fashioned sleep on their minds. Many, whether for a home or for an away game, go with a date for din- ner or anything else. Home games, though, always mean a dance will be held afterwards. Though perhaps not as popular as they once were, the dances still attract many students and former students who want to meet somebody, who are with somebody: or who just want to have a good time until midnight. Success or failure at this depends on the individual. After the conclusion of the post- game events, the Football Friday comes to an end with everybody heading home for much needed rest. With a full day like this, everyone believes they will never do anything like it again. At least not un- til Saturday anyway. FRIDAYS 19