Get Ready: Friday Night Lights Are Coming Back To Gaffney

In just three weeks, the lights will come on, the drums will echo through the stands, and the unmistakable rhythm of the Tomahawk Chop will be back. On August 22, high school football returns to Gaffney, bringing with it the energy, pride, and tradition that unites this whole community.

There’s really nothing like a Friday night at The Reservation. It’s more than a game. It’s a time when generations come together, classmates, neighbors, and friends all sharing the same passion. It’s where memories are made, legends are born, and the whole town rallies behind one goal: state championship number 19.

If you’ve ever been there, you know exactly what I mean. The crowd rises. The powerful opening notes of 2001: A Space Odyssey start to build, filling the air with intensity and anticipation. Then, through smoke and fireworks, the Indians burst out of the tunnel and onto the field. It’s a spine-tingling tradition that gives you goosebumps every time.

I stepped away from WZZQ’s Gaffney Indians Football broadcasts prior to the 2023 season, closing an incredible chapter that spanned 22 years and 268 games on the radio crew. Add in my years in print journalism, and I had the privilege of covering the Tribe for 29 seasons and 364 games. What a journey it was, full of memories I’ll always carry with me.

Even though I’m no longer roaming the sidelines or co-hosting the Tailgate Show for WZZQ each fall, the excitement of Friday nights still finds me. The sound of pads hitting, the roar of the crowd, and the energy under the lights are all just as thrilling. I may not get to every game like I used to, since family time has taken a well-deserved front seat, but my heart still beats with every snap, every score, and every defensive stand.

So, here’s to Friday nights, fall traditions, and the next chapter in the incredible story of Gaffney football. It’s more than just games on the calendar, it’s the heartbeat of this community, the stories we share, and the pride we hold all year long.

Go Indians!