The clock strikes zero, the players shuffle off the field, and the people in the stands sit, eagerly waiting for the halftime show to start. As the band walks out, people watch in awe of the mesmerizing choreography and perfect playing, making them forget for just a moment about the humidity in the air, how low their nachos are running and how ridiculous the line to the bathroom will be.

For many fans, the halftime show is one of their favorite parts of Friday Night Lights, and the school is especially lucky to always be guaranteed a good performance by the Wildkat Band, but what many fans don’t know is that for the band, Friday night is just practice for the real thing.

The band works very hard every year to get better and better at their competitions. Members spend weeks out of their summer perfecting their craft and learning choreography.

“We only made it to Area last year, and since Willis has been a 6A school for the past five years, we’re up against a lot bigger schools with more funding,” senior Odalys Garay said. “Our goal for this year is to consistently build our scores at competitions.”

Every year a group of new freshmen join the band, full of hope and desire to hone their craft, and giving new life to the program.

“This is my first year in the marching band,” freshman Emilia Melin said. “I’m excited for the competitions and to better myself as a musician.”

Each competing band has their own annual theme that they bring to the competitions.

“Our theme this year is ‘Dimensions and Destiny’,” senior Zizel Braza said. “In the choreography, we form a lot of different shapes on the field.”

The band has their first competition on September 28th, and certainly appreciate any support from the WHS community.

“I’m looking forward to the competition because it’s my last BOA (Bands of America) competition,” senior Prema Dabi said. “Unfortunately it’s the same day as homecoming, but I love to see the WHS community cheering us on in the stands.”