Okay, Who Else Just Realized It’s Almost Football Season?

Between packing lunches, refereeing sibling squabbles, and trying to remember whose turn it is to drive carpool, did you notice summer straight up vanished? Yeah, us too. But here’s the good news: that means it’s time for Friday nights under the lights, stadium nachos in one hand, and an excuse to yell really loudly at teenagers who are not your own. Froggy Night Lights is back, and we cannot wait.

What Even Is Froggy Night Lights?

If you’re new here (hi, welcome, grab a seat), Froggy Night Lights is our weekly celebration of Elkhart County high school football. Every single Friday, our own Reed Marchman and Nate Tingle will be covering the best matchups the county has to offer — so even if you can’t make every game, you can still keep up with how your team is doing.

It’s the perfect low-effort, high-reward plan for a Friday: throw a blanket in the trunk, grab the kids, and go be loud for a couple hours. No meal prep required. Somebody else is doing the cooking (looking at you, concession stand).

Mark Your Calendars: The 2026 FNL Schedule

Here’s the full lineup so you can start planning which Fridays you’re claiming as “mom’s night out at the stadium”:

• August 21 – Elkhart at Concord – 7pm (6:45p Tailgate Pre-Party, Week One!)
• August 28 – Northridge vs Columbia City – 7pm
• September 4 – Northridge at Goshen – 7pm
• September 11 – Goshen at Concord – 7pm
• September 18 – Jimtown vs Bremen – 7pm
• September 25 – Elkhart at St. Joe – 7pm
• October 2 – Elkhart at Penn – 7pm
• October 9 – Warsaw at Concord – 7pm
• October 16 – Northridge vs Warsaw – 7pm

(Kickoff is 7pm for every game, with pre-game coverage starting at 6:45p.)

Pro tip: screenshot this list right now so it’s sitting in your camera roll for the next two months instead of buried in a blog post you’ll never find again at 6:40 on a Friday.

A Big Thank You to the Sponsors Making It All Happen

Froggy Night Lights doesn’t happen without some seriously great local businesses stepping up. A huge shoutout to our Hall of Fame sponsors, Surf Internet and Goshen Orthopedics, and our Champion sponsors — Everence, Legacy Heating & Air, Global Link Distribution, and JB Propane & Tackle — for backing local football season after season.

And don’t forget the folks who help make gameday actually fun: Bill’s Heating, First State Bank, Barnaby’s Pizza, The Party Trailer, and Monterrey Mexican Bar and Grill. If you’re grabbing dinner before kickoff, maybe start with them. 😉

Why This Season Deserves a Spot on Your Calendar

Look, we get it — Fridays are precious. You’ve survived the week, the kids are wired, and the couch is calling your name. But there’s something about Friday night football that just hits different: the smell of popcorn, the marching band warming up, the whole town showing up for the same team. It’s community in its most fun form, and honestly? It’s a pretty great way to unplug for a couple hours.

Ready to Plan Your Fall Fridays?

Whether you’re cheering on Elkhart, Northridge, Goshen, Jimtown, or Concord, there’s a game — and a reason to tailgate — waiting for you almost every Friday through mid-October. Check out all the Froggy Night Lights details here and get ready for Week One’s Tailgate Pre-Party on August 21st!

See you under the lights. 🏈💡