"Friday nights lights" is a phrase used quite often by many community members and fans as they talk about the excitement around their hometown football games.
Whether the team has a winning or losing streak for the year, there is a nostalgia surrounding Friday night lights.
High school students celebrate the event with face paint and cow bells, while the football players prepare themselves by wearing their jerseys to school that day.

Union County Mayor Jason Bailey is excited to share the news that a grant has been awarded to Union County for construction of a multifield Sports Complex on the half of Luttrell Industrial Park that is still owned by the county. Bailey states that while running for office, he kept hearing that “our kids need something to do!” so he made fulfilling that need part of his initiative. While considering all possible sites, the Luttrell Industrial Park repeatedly checked all of the boxes.

Union County High School seniors were honored for their exceptional devotion and work for the Patriots at the UCHS football game on October 25. The Patriots faced the Sullivan South Cougars in a cold pouring rain. Luckily, UCHS pulled off the win in an 18-12 final score.
Football, cheer, band and color guard seniors marched onto the field at 7 p.m. accompanied by their parents and family members. God Bless America played as the Patriots and families filled the field. Football teammates were carrying American flags in the presentation, creating a beautiful patriotic scene.

September is a time of heading into fall festivals, football, and homecoming for communities like Maynardville. On Friday, September20, Maynardville held its annual Homecoming Parade and football game. The parade began at 5:30pm with some beautiful floats and homecoming queen candidates tossing candy to the crowds as they cruised the streets.

Football season has kicked off for the Union County High School Patriots. There are several returning seniors this year into the program, which is in its third year under Coach Larry Kerr’s leadership. The team has been practicing on the field and in the weight room for several months and they are looking forward to an eventful season on the new turf field.

Before everyone congratulates Alabama Crimson Tide, which team is really the 2017 college football national champion? The answer may not be as simple as many might think. There has been some animosity this season toward the College Football Playoff Selection Committee (CFPSC); Wisconsin, Central Florida, Ohio State and their advocates have a case for why they should have been selected as one of the four teams to go to the playoffs. Perhaps, if chosen, one of those teams would have won their playoff game and then the national championship.

A brand new year is upon us; a blank slate fresh with no mistakes (yet). For many people, New Year’s Day is a time for resolutions, turning over new leaves, numerous weight loss and exercise commercials, etc. The new year is also a time to analyze the previous year to decide what can be improved upon, forgotten about or remembered. While many take a look at his/her future year, it is also a great opportunity to propose some New Year’s resolutions for the media, Hollywood, and the NFL through the lenses of improving, forgetting or remembering.