There’s just something about a Friday night under the lights.

The sound of a whistle. The cheers from the stands. And people coming together for a few hours of school spirit.

For many communities across New Jersey, high school football is a fall tradition.

And in Kearny, that’s no different.

“We're hoping to have a great season. This is everything at home, so for the next couple of weeks, this is everything we do,” said Kearny football parent, Ivelise Sousa.

You don’t have to be on the field to be part of it.

There are the families in the stands, friends meeting up and longtime fans who have made Friday night football a tradition.

“This is a big part of my day today because they practice every day, they come to the park every day, they eat, breathe football right now, so it is crazy,” said Kearny parent Dolly Colon.

And for some fans, it’s simply a love of the game.

“I’m a football fan and we don't have football in Harrison, no team. I love it. I've enjoyed it all my life. All my kids played,” said Harrison resident Tom Ferriero.

Maybe that’s why the start of football season feels like more than just a game.

It’s one of those signs that summer is winding down and a new school year is getting underway.

“The routine started since the summer weight room, summer workouts, and the games, so now we gotta incorporate school starting soon, so let's see how that goes,” said Sousa.

A new school year means new memories.

And for some people in Kearny, Friday night lights are a tradition they’ve been coming back to for years.

“Friday night lights are a big thing. It's fun. It's exciting and it means a lot to these kids and especially for Kearny to get them up and get a good season this year,” said Kearny resident Stephanie Schultz.