'It's about time:' Morristown debuts new lights, scoreboard in first night football game
MORRISTOWN — Rick Hey has been attending Morristown High School sporting events for more than 50 years, since before he was a student back in the late 1960s. But there was something a little different about the Colonials' football game against Mount Olive on Thursday night.
It was the kickoff time.
Morristown debuted its new lights in a tight 13-7 loss to the Marauders, the school's first night home football game. Juniors Jekori Zapata and Tyler Cumming scored Mount Olive's touchdowns, the game winner coming with 2:32 left. In between, Colonials sophomore Jasiah Brown lit up the crowd with a 80-yard interception return TD down the far sideline.
"It's about time. This is the biggest school in Morris County. I expect all the pomp and circumstance," said Hey, a 69-year-old who now lives in Parsippany. "I've seen some outstanding athletic feats and teams. Some kids have gone on to play in college, the NFL, pro baseball. You never know what you're going to see."
Construction and change
Changes to the athletic complex have been in the works for about a decade. The home bleachers and press box were replaced five years ago, after the concrete began to crumble. The artificial turf and track around it were completed last August.
After community meetings to hear and address concerns like noise, traffic and trash, the Morris School District Board of Education approved the latest project in 2022, sending the lights and scoreboard out for bid.
The $1.4 million total cost was paid out of capital reserves.
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Designed by Parette Somjen Architects of Rockaway, preliminary work began in the spring. The 70- and 90-foot light stanchions were delivered in May, with concrete poured in June. Electricity was run during preseason, so the lights and 36-by-24-foot scoreboard were actually ready on Aug. 24, two days before Morristown's football season opener against Livingston.
That game was already scheduled for Saturday afternoon, but athletic director Smitty Horton got his first chance to put on a show with the new scoreboard.
"It's definitely a new tradition: Friday night lights, a whole new atmosphere in the stadium," said former Colonials lineman Brian Fajardo, whose younger brother Edwin is on the freshman football team. "It changes the environment completely. I'm proud to lay down the foundation and let these guys take it from here."
Coach Casey Flynn, who is part of a multi-generational Morristown family, said the players had "a different energy and focus" at their first night practice on Sept. 6. They also got a chance to test out their evening game-day routine on the road against Millburn on Saturday.
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Flynn said the schedule will be a little different for a home night game. The players will meet right after school for a team meal. Then they'll go through their daily itinerary: dressing the field and putting out equipment, treatment with the athletic trainer, getting uniforms ready, and then a walk-through. The Colonials might even have time for snacks in the locker room before the 6:30 p.m. kickoff.
"It's just going to become a new normal. ... I think the greater community will enjoy this atmosphere," said Flynn, noting the new schedule will create more interaction between the different high school levels and Morristown Wildcats youth programs, and free up time for players to attend college football games.
Building community
All the fall and spring outdoor sports – boys and girls soccer and field hockey and boys and girls lacrosse – will also be able to play night games. The lights also provide more flexibility for practice schedules.
Morris School District business administrator Anthony LoFranco noted, "The way the field is situated, there won't be much overshadowing into the neighborhood." However, no practices will be permitted to start after 9 p.m., and all night games are expected to end by 10.
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The idea of football equaling "Friday Night Lights" has become a national touchstone, inspiring a book, movie, and television series based on Odessa (Texas) Permian's 1990 season. But not every high school varsity football team kicks off on Fridays.
Morris Hills, Morris Knolls, Madison, Chatham and Delbarton are on the short list of day-game teams in Morris County.
"Growing up, I always relished the Saturday afternoons in Morristown. But I also enjoyed Friday night games," said Flynn, a former Morristown lineman and wrestler who now teaches history at his alma mater.
"It's six of one, half-dozen of the other. We were able to do it at the right time."
Jane Havsy is a storyteller for the Daily Record and DailyRecord.com, part of the USA TODAY Network. For full access to live scores, breaking news and analysis, subscribe today.
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This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: Morristown NJ football debuts field lights vs. Mount Olive
