DANVILLE — Every big performance typically has a dress rehearsal before the show.
It’s a chance for the participants to get the experience of the arena before the bright lights get turned on.
That was the case on Friday night at the Wayland-Young Athletic Complex.
Both the Danville football program and the Danville girls flag football program held controlled scrimmages before a large crowd of family, friends and community members.
“This is a nice way to get the seasons started,’’ Danville football coach Marcus Forrest said. “It gives our community, including family, friends and loved ones, a chance to see how these kids have progressed with all of the hard work they have done this summer and after two weeks of practice.
“We were able to get some young kids their first experience of Friday Night Lights. That’s a day that players and families look forward to when the season starts.’’
The girls flag football team took the field first with a pair of 20-minute halves. For the Lady Vikings, the scrimmage was a chance to work with IHSA officials while also honing their skills.
That was followed by a single quarter scrimmage by the freshman football team and then the varsity team did some specialty work followed by a single quarter of action.
“It felt like a real Friday Night Lights with all of the fans and the students being here,’’ said Danville senior lineman Alex Doe. “Having everyone here made it feel like a real game night.
“We got to experience that as a group and that should help us next week.’’
Junior defensive back Jayden Rowell, who has been through the scrimmage twice before, admitted the team needs this night.
“We got a little mentally stronger, coach has been pushing us and we needed to show it tonight in front of a crowd,’’ he said. “With a number of new guys, we are still developing our game faces.’’
Forrest admits that he likes watching the younger players.
“I saw some of the eyes of our sophomores and first-year players, they weren’t sure if they were supposed to look over into the stands at their families or look at the coaches,’’ he said. “Everything was just flying around for them.
“That’s something we need to get corrected and tonight is a great way to work on that.’’
Both the girls flag football team and the football team are scheduled to open their seasons at the newly renovated Ned Whitesell Field next week. Flag football is set for 4:30 p.m. on Thursday against Peoria Richwoods and football is 7 p.m. on Friday against Bloomington.