The image of high school under Friday Night Lights is iconic: the roar of student cheers, the boom of the marching band’s drums and the shared excitement that transforms an ordinary Friday into something that defines the American high school experience.
At Lynbrook, however, that image has changed. This school year, the varsity football team was temporarily disbanded due to insufficient player interest, leaving Lynbrook with just a JV team consisting of former varsity players and underclassmen. The impact on school culture and other athletic teams is already evident.
“I didn’t have that big of a reaction because I felt like it would be more fair for our team, since our team is mostly underclassmen, and most other JV teams are underclassmen,” sophomore and cheerleader Betty Huang said. ”Since I’m in cheer, I’m excited to see the crowd get really excited about our team getting touchdowns.”
For the past two seasons, the varsity football team suffered a losing streak in the Peninsula Athletic League. After a decision made by the football coaching staff, the team decided to have a one-year JV-only program to rebuild Lynbrook’s football culture, with the goal of returning to the PAL the following year.
“It’s a little disappointing that we can’t play at Friday Night Lights, but as a team captain, I understand this change and feel that now, three weeks into the regular season, that it’s benefited the team tremendously,” junior and captain Owen Huang said. “The whole environment of our football team is different now — it’s more engaging, more fun and our team morale is higher.”
In the future, football coach Joseph Luo hopes students enjoy football so much that they stay committed for all four years, instead of leaving in junior or senior year to focus on studies or college applications.
“I think this is the best decision for us, because we’re making football fun again,” Luo said. “The kids are finally understanding how the culture of football at a school should work.”
Football games affect all aspects of campus culture. Performance groups often make football halftime shows a key part of gaining recognition, and entire Homecoming skits are dedicated to hyping up the football game at the end of the week.
The JV football team’s recent wins have already created a noticeable shift in school spirit, with many students taking to social media to share their positive reactions and encouraging the team. On Sept. 12, they had their first win of the season against Gunn High School, showing the team that the effort coaches and players put in can result in victories.
“I’m proud of their hard work and hunger to get even better,” Luo said. “After not having the most successful season, they’re willing to try and work harder from day in and day out to win more games.”
These changes have also strengthened team culture. Not only have practices become more structured around a set routine, but players have also begun to hold each other more accountable. Instead of solely having their coach direct practices, the players now take the initiative to head out onto the field to work on specific drills.
“There is a lot more discipline within the team now,” Luo said. “For example, the players are holding each other accountable when they see someone slack off in practice.”
Although games now take place much earlier in the day, football staff have made a conscious effort to incentivize more attendance from the community, especially teachers. For their game against Phillip and Sala Burton Academic High School on Sept. 25, they gave away free jerseys to staff.
The change in football culture has also extended far beyond the field. For example, many ASB fall events center around planning student sections.
Sophomore and ASB public relations commissioner Katelyn Wang was placed in charge of planning the first student section of the year for the team’s first game. Choosing a red-out theme, Wang and the rest of the commission had to account for factors like lower attendance and earlier game times when planning the event.
“Lynbrook is a really spirited place, so we have good student sections,” Wang said. “But because it’s so early, less people are going to come, and the vibes might not be there.”
Student sections, homecoming and halftime shows all foster school spirit, and the lack of a varsity football team could have a great impact on school culture. Despite this, Class of 2026 president Shreya Somani believes that the Viking spirit will stay strong in Homecoming regardless of the game.
“Our domain is our one day of Homecoming,” Somani said. “Regardless of what happens for the Homecoming game, it doesn’t affect the work or effort that we’re putting in to making our day the best.”
Moreover, the earlier time frame has forced ASB Recognition to move the timing of the Homecoming Court awards to the end of the game instead of during halftime.
“I think the earlier time could actually benefit the cheer team, because it used to get super cold near the end of the football season,” sophomore and varsity cheer captain Yuwei Ma said.
In past years, Homecoming skit plots have centered around beating the opposing team in the Homecoming football game. From pointed references to us-versus-them storylines, students would participate in lighthearted boos anytime the other school was mentioned. This year, the focus has transitioned away from the rivalry to the chosen theme.
“For the homecoming skit, we’re mainly focused on the storyline related to the plot of Cars,” homecoming skit lead and freshman Alexis Chiu said. “Despite the changes, I’m still really excited to see the end product.”
Football games are also a stage for pep and marching band, color guard and the Valkyries during halftime shows. Pep band, which performs live music at games, would previously hold final run-throughs before the game began. Although this is no longer an option for them, the band is unconcerned as they already practice their pieces for football in class.
“It’ll be more fun for the Pep Band to play for a winning team now,” pep band member and junior Rucha Kore said. “There are certain songs we can only play when we get a touchdown,”
The Valkyries traditionally appeal to the large crowd at football games by selling baked potatoes. Football games are a fundraising opportunity for them and one of their greatest sources of income to fund dance competitions. However, due to the earlier games, the Valkyries don’t plan on selling potatoes at football games, and instead hope to sell at basketball games.
The halftime show is a significant part of the Valkyries team culture, but due to the smaller halftime period, the Valkyries will design a shorter performance. Nonetheless, senior and Valkyries captain Caroline Yan has an optimistic outlook on the change.
“Usually this time of year, we would be cramming really hard for all the football games,” Yan said. “Now we get to focus more on our rally and competition routines, which is nice.”
While the absence of varsity football changes the rhythm of the school year, it also offers a chance to reimagine what brings the Lynbrook community together. Students are proving that despite these challenges, school spirit can still thrive on the creativity and commitment that keeps the campus vibrant.
“It’s just for one season, and then we’re trying to get that old-fashioned 7 p.m. game back again, here at Lynbrook,” Luo said.
