FRIDAY NIGHT LENS
Like many places throughout the country, Appalachia and rural Kentucky view Friday night football as a source of community fellowship, pride, history and consistency. Friday Night Lens was born out of the desire to show how communities connect to each other, their past and their future through high school football.
Breathitt County's Damon Neace, a senior lineman, prepares for the start of Friday's game against South Laurel in Jackson, Ky., on Friday, Aug. 30, 2019.
Members of the Breathitt High Army JROTC program, including Danielle Griffith, center, practice carrying a giant U.S. flag onto the field before the start the game in Jackson, Ky., on Friday, Aug. 30, 2019.
Spectators listen as the national anthem is performed before the start of the season opener for Knox Central in Barbourville, Ky., on Friday, Aug. 23, 2019.
The Somerset High School Briar Jumpers football team prepares to take the field at the William M. Clark Athletic Field for a game against Danville in Somerset, Ky., Friday, Oct. 11, 2019. Somerset won, 40-21.
Fans fill the stands at the Mike Holcomb Athletic Complex as the Bobcats take on the South Laurel Cardinals in Jackson, Ky., on Friday, Aug. 30, 2019.
Mayfield's Jax Rogers reaches up to touch the word, "Pride," painted in the tunnel leading from the Cardinals' locker room to the field before a game against Graves County in Mayfield, Ky., on Friday, Jan. 20, 2019.
Matt Dixon gives William Ritchie a haircut at his barbershop in downtown Jackson, Ky., Friday, Aug. 30, 2019. "It's been the heart of the community for many years," Dixon said about the Breathitt County football team.
Mayfield's Dalan Webb walks out of the Cardinals' locker room, leaving quarterback Jayden Stinson a few moments to himself, before the start of a game against Graves County on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019.
Annabelle Smith, 6, of Barbourville, cheers with the Knox Central cheerleaders during a game against Ashland Blazer on Friday, Aug. 23, 2019.
A pep assembly is held at Mayfield High School, which has an enrollment of 500 students, before the night’s game against Graves County on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019.
Harlan County players and coaches hold hands after beating Perry County in Harlan, Ky., on Friday, Oct. 25, 2019.
Before the start of a game against Graves County, Mayfield's Markeacio Jackson sits quietly by himself on Friday, Jan. 20, 2019.