At NVOT, with the weekend dawning and excitement soaring through the roof, the lights begin to shine brightly on the Friday night football games for the Golden Knights. For many NVOT students, the excitement of Friday Night Lights serves as a way to foster community, build new relationships, and promote school and town spirit.

Led by Head Coach Brian Dunn, the Knights have won two of the last three NJSIAA Group 3 State Championships with a 29-4 record in that three year span. Currently, they are 6-0 with wins most notably coming against Northern Highlands and Ramapo. They will look to end the regular season strong against Wayne Hills on October 17 and rival Pascack Valley on the 24th, but these games represent more than just a sports gathering. 

They represent years of tradition: the hard work and sacrifice of friends you have watched for as long as you can remember and a way to be a part of the show. Principal Taylor West said, “The energy at our football games is a longstanding NVOT tradition! I remember it from when I was a student here. It’s one of the things that makes NVOT such a special place: you truly feel like you’re part of something greater than yourself, surrounded by the enthusiasm of your peers, parents, and teachers.”

As you make the walk towards the field, you can hear the music of the highly acclaimed NVOT Marching Band combined with the roar of the student section creating an environment where hundreds of NVOT students can embrace school spirit and pride. Heck, even those who may not even have played a single sport throughout their lifetime can feel the excitement that NVOT Friday Night Lights has to offer. It’s no wonder that we continue to see year after year the bleachers filled to the brim and alumni coming to show their support.

The excitement can be felt from all perspectives. Junior Marching Band member Samuel Nunez said, “The games are usually the best part of my week. It’s always fun to be with my friends in the stands—especially since I’m part of the drumline. It’s one of the times where I feel that I contribute a lot to school spirit, cheering the football team on and playing stand tunes while we’re on defense or whenever our team scores a touchdown, It’s something I always look forward to.”

Freshman Liam Donnelly agrees: “The experience has been amazing so far this year. It’s really fun being in the stands and watching our guys blowout the other teams. It is fun to watch all of the catches and the game winning plays being made. Overall it is really fun to watch the game and be a part of the Golden Knight atmosphere.” 

The student section incorporates a theme for every game throughout the season such as a white out, black out, USA, and more. This is coordinated through the NVOT Student Section Instagram a few days prior to the game (@nvotstudentsection). Senior Nicoletta Cialdella, one of current leaders of the student section and owner of the Instagram account said, “Whenever we post the new theme, all the students create cool and creative outfits based on their interpretations. Being a part of the student section is honestly such a big part of the high school experience. It is all the students joining together to support a team, which when there are more kids, the vibe is so much better.”

Even freshman newcomers who have not participated in these themes in the past have found their place in the student section. “The themes and atmosphere are nothing like I really thought it would be. I really think and will continue to encourage attendance to Friday night lights because I can assure that everyone will have a great time,” said freshman Kai Kerrigan.

Friday Night Lights at NVOT offers a crisp fall environment, with fans cheering, players giving their all, and most importantly a sense of community that may not be seen anywhere else throughout your high school career. Even if you’ve never played a day of football in your life, there is a place for you here on Friday nights.