The legendary Hoyle field has given a once thriving mill town something special in the sense of community and belonging.
The local Jacket football fans stand in line at each home game to make a purchase for a ticket that brings friends and family together for sports, music, food and an opportunity to catch up on old times.
It is easy to see why fans can get caught up in so many highs and lows with each play that is made or not made.
The game itself can cause tears of joy or sorrow but perhaps one of the most emotional high school football games is the one we label senior night.
The Roanoke Rapids Yellow Jackets (8-1) varsity football team will play host to the Southern Vance Raiders (0-9) Friday with a kickoff of 7:30 p.m.
Generations of families will gather to see all the seniors take the field for one last time in a regular season game under the Friday night lights. Special times come far and few but they make a lifetime of memories.
The Jackets are coming off a 28-6 win over the Franklinton Rams and they are looking to get that double digit win season.
Southern Vance has had a tradition of playing the Jackets extremely hard and they will come to Hoyle field looking to be the spoilers.
The Jackets have scored 315 points this year where the Raiders have only managed 146. Southern Vance has shown that they can pass the ball with their QB Corey Twitty Jr. averaging 89.2 passing per game.
The Jackets offensively have been nursing injuries. Jacket Senior QB Cameron Rogerson returned last week from injury and was 11 of 22 passing for 138 yards connecting with senior Marcus Allen for 101 of those yards.
Defensively the Jackets came up with big plays at key times. Junior defensive back Jack Neville had two interceptions and Senior Bracy Irby had one. The last time the Raiders beat the Jackets was in 2013 by a score of 28-7.
Jacket fans are encouraged to pink out Friday for breast cancer awareness month which continues through this month.
The night will indeed be special as we say goodbye to all the seniors and we cherish each moment of life as we are reminded that there are no guarantees.
The memories created Friday night will last a lifetime and many old stories will be told at Hoyle field with a new story beginning.