Friday night football returns to Santa Fe High School

SANTA FE, Texas (FOX 26) - A Friday night, full of bright lights and a whole lot of spirit. Fans packed inside Indian Stadium at Santa Fe High School to see the team take on the Dobie Longhorns. To many, it was more than a game — it was a night to come together and enjoy a Texas tradition.

“Just excited to get back in some type of momentum and I’m excited to see the boys back on the field,” says Craig Thompson, whose son was playing in the game.

It’s the first home game of the season, marking the beginning of a new year. The night was used to honor the ten lives lost back in May.

"To be able to see the, see them come together, you know, for their fallen brother and for the fallen people around them from this community, it’s great to see such a city that comes together and to really just see the city of Houston come together for Santa Fe,” says Houston Texans defensive tackle Christian Covington. He and Texans center guard Greg Mancz visited the Santa Fe campus for the pep rally and pre-game pep talks. They have been out in Santa Fe for the past few months.

"The fact that we can come back out and be a part of this and sort of talk to the team and see the community, I think it’s pivotal and I think it’s a great thing and I think we should do it," says Mancz.

"We’ve had people from all over the country calling in, coming," says Santa Fe coach Mark Kanipes. "I mean, it’s just been amazing but we want to get back to normal, you know? "We just want to play football that’s all we can do right now."