Republic High School’s football program has held its annual Friday Night Lights event, marking the end of summer youth camp and the start of the season countdown. The event, now in its fourth year under head coach Ryan Cornelsen, serves as a fundraiser and community gathering.
The evening featured a youth combine, giving young players a chance to showcase their skills alongside the high school team. The week-long youth camp was held throughout the week.
A silent auction raised funds for the football program.
“It’s not really a practice. It’s not a scrimmage,” Cornelsen said. “It’s more about getting our community out, getting our youth out here, and getting everybody together, whether it’s our youth, our junior high, freshman, varsity.”
Players from all levels participated in limited action, with most getting about six plays each. The event has become a tradition that signals the approach of the fall season, and it comes the day before the start of the mandatory week-long break before official practices begin.
“I think everybody knows it’s coming. And I think everybody knows that means — we got a week off and then it’s go time,” Cornelsen said. “To me, it’s just a great night to be a Republic Tiger and see the whole town out here, the community, and get us fired up again.
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