Friday Night Lights

The Vandegrift Viper community kicked off the football season with a game against the storied Odessa Permian Panthers on Friday, Aug. 26 at Monroe Stadium.
The elite Vandegrift programs — band, choir, football, dance, cheer — gave their best performances while students, parents and fans celebrated.

The Vandegrift Vipers take the field for the first time in the 2016 season to host the Permian Panthers at Monroe Stadium in Austin, Texas, on August 26, 2016

The Vandegrift Vipers take the field for the first time in the 2016 season to host the Permian Panthers at Monroe Stadium in Austin, Texas, on August 26, 2016

The Vandegrift Vipers offense watches the action on the field as storm clouds move in from the north during a high school football game between the Vandegrift Vipers and the Permian Panthers at Monroe Stadium in Austin, Texas, on August 26, 2016

The Vandegrift Vipers offense watches the action on the field as storm clouds move in from the north during a high school football game between the Vandegrift Vipers and the Permian Panthers at Monroe Stadium in Austin, Texas, on August 26, 2016

The Vandegrift cheer squad watches the game from the sidelines during a high school football game between the Vandegrift Vipers and the Permian Panthers at Monroe Stadium in Austin, Texas, on August 26, 2016

The Vandegrift cheer squad watches the game from the sidelines during a high school football game between the Vandegrift Vipers and the Permian Panthers at Monroe Stadium in Austin, Texas, on August 26, 2016

The Vandegrift Viper Band prepares to perform during a high school football game between the Vandegrift Vipers and the Permian Panthers at Monroe Stadium in Austin, Texas, on August 26, 2016

The Vandegrift Viper Band prepares to perform during a high school football game between the Vandegrift Vipers and the Permian Panthers at Monroe Stadium in Austin, Texas, on August 26, 2016

Vandegrift Vipers junior Justin Florence (22) and junior Ben Cross (2) celebrate a touchdown during the first quarter of a high school football game between the Vandegrift Vipers and the Permian Panthers at Monroe Stadium in Austin, Texas, on August 26, 2016

Vandegrift Vipers junior Justin Florence (22) and junior Ben Cross (2) celebrate a touchdown during the first quarter of a high school football game between the Vandegrift Vipers and the Permian Panthers at Monroe Stadium in Austin, Texas, on August 26, 2016

The Vandegrift student section comes alive during a high school football game between the Vandegrift Vipers and the Permian Panthers at Monroe Stadium in Austin, Texas, on August 26, 2016

The Vandegrift student section comes alive during a high school football game between the Vandegrift Vipers and the Permian Panthers at Monroe Stadium in Austin, Texas, on August 26, 2016

Vandegrift Vipers junior running back Mack Parker (28) runs the ball during a high school football game between the Vandegrift Vipers and the Permian Panthers at Monroe Stadium in Austin, Texas, on August 26, 2016

Vandegrift Vipers junior running back Mack Parker (28) runs the ball during a high school football game between the Vandegrift Vipers and the Permian Panthers at Monroe Stadium in Austin, Texas, on August 26, 2016

Vandegrift Vipers junior running back Mack Parker (28) runs the ball during a high school football game between the Vandegrift Vipers and the Permian Panthers at Monroe Stadium in Austin, Texas, on August 26, 2016

Vandegrift Vipers junior running back Mack Parker (28) runs the ball during a high school football game between the Vandegrift Vipers and the Permian Panthers at Monroe Stadium in Austin, Texas, on August 26, 2016

Vandegrift Vipers senior quarterback Alex Fernandes (3) in action during a high school football game between the Vandegrift Vipers and the Permian Panthers at Monroe Stadium in Austin, Texas, on August 26, 2016

Vandegrift Vipers senior quarterback Alex Fernandes (3) in action during a high school football game between the Vandegrift Vipers and the Permian Panthers at Monroe Stadium in Austin, Texas, on August 26, 2016

Vandegrift Vipers senior wide receiver Will Bruner (5) fights for posession after a catch during a high school football game between the Vandegrift Vipers and the Permian Panthers at Monroe Stadium in Austin, Texas, on August 26, 2016

Vandegrift Vipers senior wide receiver Will Bruner (5) fights for posession after a catch during a high school football game between the Vandegrift Vipers and the Permian Panthers at Monroe Stadium in Austin, Texas, on August 26, 2016

Vandegrift Vipers senior linebacker Storm Wilson (44) brings down Permian Panthers senior quarterback Steve Steen (25) during a high school football game between the Vandegrift Vipers and the Permian Panthers at Monroe Stadium in Austin, Texas, on August 26, 2016

Vandegrift Vipers senior linebacker Storm Wilson (44) brings down Permian Panthers senior quarterback Steve Steen (25) during a high school football game between the Vandegrift Vipers and the Permian Panthers at Monroe Stadium in Austin, Texas, on August 26, 2016

Vandegrift Vipers senior lineman Jim Hauck (58) talks with senior offensive lineman Holton Greenfield (12) before a high school football game between the Vandegrift Vipers and the Permian Panthers at Monroe Stadium in Austin, Texas, on August 26, 2016

Vandegrift Vipers senior lineman Jim Hauck (58) talks with senior offensive lineman Holton Greenfield (12) before a high school football game between the Vandegrift Vipers and the Permian Panthers at Monroe Stadium in Austin, Texas, on August 26, 2016

The Vandegrift cheer squad takes the field ahead of the football team to open the season at a home game between the Vandegrift Vipers and the Permian Panthers at Monroe Stadium in Austin, Texas, on August 26, 2016

The Vandegrift cheer squad takes the field ahead of the football team to open the season at a home game between the Vandegrift Vipers and the Permian Panthers at Monroe Stadium in Austin, Texas, on August 26, 2016

The Vandegrift Vipers offense watches the action on the field from the bench during a high school football game between the Vandegrift Vipers and the Permian Panthers at Monroe Stadium in Austin, Texas, on August 26, 2016

The Vandegrift Vipers offense watches the action on the field from the bench during a high school football game between the Vandegrift Vipers and the Permian Panthers at Monroe Stadium in Austin, Texas, on August 26, 2016

The community rallies around opening day of Vandegrift football season as the Vandegrift Vipers host the Permian Panthers at Monroe Stadium in Austin, Texas, on August 26, 2016

The community rallies around opening day of Vandegrift football season as the Vandegrift Vipers host the Permian Panthers at Monroe Stadium in Austin, Texas, on August 26, 2016

The Vandegrift student section comes alive during a high school football game between the Vandegrift Vipers and the Permian Panthers at Monroe Stadium in Austin, Texas, on August 26, 2016

The Vandegrift student section comes alive during a high school football game between the Vandegrift Vipers and the Permian Panthers at Monroe Stadium in Austin, Texas, on August 26, 2016

The Vandegrift student section comes alive during a high school football game between the Vandegrift Vipers and the Permian Panthers at Monroe Stadium in Austin, Texas, on August 26, 2016

The Vandegrift student section comes alive during a high school football game between the Vandegrift Vipers and the Permian Panthers at Monroe Stadium in Austin, Texas, on August 26, 2016

The Vandegrift HIgh School Choir performs the national anthem during a high school football game between the Vandegrift Vipers and the Permian Panthers at Monroe Stadium in Austin, Texas, on August 26, 2016

The Vandegrift HIgh School Choir performs the national anthem during a high school football game between the Vandegrift Vipers and the Permian Panthers at Monroe Stadium in Austin, Texas, on August 26, 2016

The Vandegrift cheer squad watches the game from the sidelines during a high school football game between the Vandegrift Vipers and the Permian Panthers at Monroe Stadium in Austin, Texas, on August 26, 2016

The Vandegrift cheer squad watches the game from the sidelines during a high school football game between the Vandegrift Vipers and the Permian Panthers at Monroe Stadium in Austin, Texas, on August 26, 2016