A lot happens behind the scenes before Football game days.

Friday night football is a fixture in the fall not only in the Upper Thumb, but across most of the United States.

For fans, the fun begins at kick-off at 7 p.m. For athletic directors, the work begins long before that.

"About the time school gets out, I have to buzz around and make sure our fields are game day ready," Ubly Athletic Director Branden Sorenson said. "I have to make sure my help and volunteers are ready, as far as ticket booth, concession stand, clock operator, chain gang and what not. The same thing goes for volleyball. Making sure we have our bookkeeper, line judge, and what not in order."

"I coordinate with our coaching staff on some of these things," Sorenson added. "We've also had people that help out in the past that have become a staple. That makes my life much easier. We also have to make sure everyone has their equipment, the coaching staff has everything they need. I'm generally responsible for making sure our fields are lined, and to get everything prepped for game day."

Bad Axe Athletic Director Mike Bogan said there are a lot of little details that go into the process of a football Friday.

"It doesn't seem like it's that big of a deal," he said. "But, when you're running a game, you want to make sure all these things have been taken care of. You want to make sure everything is put together, and the game runs well."

Bogan said he has to make sure to confirm the officials as soon as he can for Friday games.

"That's the first thing I do when I come in on Friday morning," he said. "I also have to make sure I have people that are working the gate, in terms of taking money. My hope is that's done by noon. I also have to make sure the field is lined, the speakers are working for our P.A. announcer.

"We also make sure the concession stand is stocked and ready to go," he added. "We have to make sure the lights work. It's light at kick-off in the fall, but once the second half rolls around, if the lights don't work, that wouldn't be good. I also have to make sure the grass is cut."

However, once all the prep has been completed, Bogan can watch the game as it's happening.

"Come 7 p.m, after kick-off, I'm pretty much done," he said. "I sit in a golf cart and watch the game. Every now and then, you have an issue with a spectator, but nine times out of 10, I just watch the game."

For Cass City Athletic Director Justin Ketterer, the work isn't finished after kick-off.

"Once kick-off happens, there's not a ton of time to watch the game," he said. "Whether I help out concessions with supplies or something else. I once had to open up the maintenance room as we ran out of toilet paper in one of the bathrooms. That was a fun story."

"I have to make sure everyone is taken care of," he added. "I have to make sure we put on a good event, not only for our fans, kids and coaches, but for those visiting that night."

Ketterer said there's a lot of excitement in Cass City surrounding home football games.

"Friday nights are pretty busy in the fall," he said. "People get excited, and it's one of the biggest events of the entire school year. It's a big deal. We're fortunate enough to have our Gavel Club. They do a great job helping us run our ticket counter, their own 50/50, and run our chain crew. They're a great group of guys."

The work night for Ketterer begins around 5 p.m. after a day in the office.

"That's when I'll get on the field to make sure everything's set up," he said. "I have to make sure the press box is open, the chains are out, concession stand's open, gates are ready, cash boxes are down. Then, the Gavel Club will come and start setting up the gates."

"I also meet with our officiating crew at our elementary school," he added. "I'll get them set up with a locker room and escort them down. I have to make sure all our game workers are there. When people start coming in, I have to manage crowd control. Thankfully, nothing terrible happened so far. But, you have to be prepared for everything."

Friday night football returns to the Upper Thumb next month.