Joy and drama - The Mercury News

Joy and drama

under Friday Night Lights

Campolindo High students toss powder into the air in the third quarter of the Cougars football game against Las Lomas in Moraga on Oct. 18. DOUG DURAN — STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

ABOVE: San Ramon Valley students wave flags as they lead players onto the field to play California on Oct. 11. San Ramon won, 38-26. LEFT: Pittsburg Marching Show Band drum major Julissa Verduzco, 17, performs before the start of a game Sept. 13 JOSE CARLOS FAJARDO — STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Amador Valley’s Cooper Longmire sits dejected after sustaining an injury while playing Frontier in the CIF Division 3-AA state title game at Long Beach City College. Frontier won 18-14. JOSE CARLOS FAJARDO — STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

San Ramon Valley students wave flags as they lead the football players onto the field to play California during their game at San Ramon Valley High School in Danville, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. San Ramon Valley defeated California 38-26.(Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) JOSE CARLOS FAJARDO — STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Players douse Moreau Catholic head coach Keith Minor as they celebrate their CIF Division 7-AA state football title Dec. 13. The Mariners took home the only Bay Area state crown this season. JOSE CARLOS FAJARDO — STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Willow Glen players hold their helmets high during the national anthem before a game against Piedmont Hills at Willow Glen High School in San Jose on Sept. 13. SHAE HAMMOND — STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Christopher High quarterback Jaxen Robinson warms up under the lights before the Cougar football game against Santa Teresa High in San Jose on Oct. 4. DOUG DURAN — STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

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Thousands of high school athletes took to fields across the Bay Area this fall, fighting for their chance at a championship. The prep football season is officially behind us now, but the memories are far from faded. And there was no shortage of drama. The stands were packed with enthusiastic fans watching the battles unfold on the gridiron. It encapsulated Friday Night Lights.