Friday night lights for Legacy received a major upgrade elevating the game day experience to a whole new level. A new inflatable tunnel purchased this past offseason, arrived in time for homecoming vs. Weatherford on Oct. 4.

After having an old and lackluster tunnel, the football team received their own large and prominent bronco inflatable to get the players hyped up for runout before every game. The football players gain better presentation and hype for the rest of the season along with future seasons as well. Justin Southern, head of the tunnel set-up process, and Matt Riddle, head of PTA, keep the tunnel set up and ready before every game and halftime.

“The new tunnel delivers a message to the other team showing we do things right at Legacy,” Mr. Southern said. “We take pride in our work on and off the field.”

The setup on gameday starts at 3:30 p.m. when the trailer is picked up and taken to the field. The setup includes putting the generator in place, rolling out extension cords, connecting the blowers to inflate the tunnel, and tying the inflatable down to prevent the wind from blowing the inflatable side to side.

“The new tunnel is unique because it mostly stands up on its own and is one piece,” Mr. Southern said. “The old tunnel was very difficult to control, and it was two pieces.”

Once the tunnel is inflated, the speaker and fog machine are set up last. After the team runs out the tunnel to start the game, everything is packed up and the process starts again during halftime.

“The new tunnel greatly increased the morale of the team,” Mr. Southern said. “The energy of the players has been electric since we introduced the new tunnel.”

The old tunnel became no longer usable and dangerous to inflate. The tunnel crew attempted to make numerous repairs but were unsuccessful presenting safety concerns.

“The tunnel was a purchase between Coach Hulme and the booster club,” Mr. Riddle said. “The process started in Oct. 2023. Luckily the manufacturer of that tunnel was in the metroplex.”

Along with having a new tunnel, new traditions came with it. Every senior now signs the inside of the tunnel with a silver marker at the start of every season. This builds a stronger connection and overall higher connection with the tunnel and the athletes that fight together. The senior football players will now stay with the tunnel and the future of the football team.

“You take the field with not only the players next to you but with those that came before you,” Riddle said. “Do it with pride because you are building a Legacy.”

Gallery • 5 Photos

Photo by Reese Mallett

Varsity football players see their new tunnel for the first time after team dinner on Oct. 3.