Friday night lights, as high school football in Kentucky has come to be known, is a film, a long-running television show and way more than that here in the commonwealth. It’s a long-running tradition powered by cooperatives in 89 counties across Kentucky.
The action gets underway in just a couple of weeks on Friday nights for the East Carter Raiders, West Carter Comets, Greenup County Musketeers, Rowan County Vikings, Lewis County Lions and Lawrence County Bulldogs and more. Grayson RECC supplies electricity to only one local high school with football facilities. We’re proud to be the power source that makes “Friday night lights” possible at West Carter High School.
A pigskin passion
Kentuckians have been passionate about football since the sport began. The Kentucky Encyclopedia notes that the first college game occurred here in 1880. High school football debuted in 1893.
By 1914, football was commonplace at most large high schools. Smaller schools later followed suit, with the majority of Kentucky high schools fielding a team when the first state championship games were held in 1959.
Friday night football games wouldn’t happen until the 1950s and 1960s for most schools in Grayson RECC’s service area. By then, most rural homes and businesses had access to electricity through their co-op membership. Schools were also powered by co-op electricity, but their football fields weren’t equipped with lights. One by one, communities rallied around their hometown teams by raising funds to buy field lights that co-op employees often would help to install.
Under the lights
By the 1970s, playing under the lights was a Friday night tradition. Grayson RECC is proud to be a part of this tradition, providing the dependable electricity teams and fans count on.
Co-op electricity lights up stadiums, locker rooms and parking lots. We power scoreboards and public address systems. We’re also the power source for concession stands that crank out hot foods and cold beverages for fans.
The high school football season kicks off in late August. Like the teams we serve, Grayson RECC is conditioned and ready for a great season.
Let the games begin!