By Kyle Roberts
RUSTON, LA. — Fans, community members, and vendors joined together Friday night at the Ruston Civic Center for the second annual Friday Night Lights Community Tailgate to raise support for the Bearcats with the 2025 season right around the corner.
“We are very fortunate through the generosity of so many to be able to raise significant funds for the program,” Bearcat Football Club President Wes Clark said. “I don’t think people realize just what it takes to fund a football program the size of Ruston High School that has in excess of 160 young men in grades 9-12. On behalf of the Bearcat Football Club, I would like to thank everyone in attendance, along with our sponsors: Gibsland Bank & Trust, Clark Contractors/Triad Builders, Tommy’s Express Wash, Southern States Equipment, Ruston Maintenance, Squire Creek Country Club, Hot Rod’s BBQ and Sundown Tavern.
“We would also like to thank all of our auction donors. Without them none of this would be possible. Also, I’d like to personally thank Hunter and Becky Smith, Pat Gillum, and Adam Pyles for all the work they put in to make it a great event. We are looking forward to making it even bigger and better next year.”
Ruston High Head Coach Jerrod Baugh shared his appreciation for people coming to support the program.
“You don’t realize what you’re missing until you’ve been involved in it for a couple of years and really see the community turn out to support the kids,” Baugh said. “People realize the importance of what it is that football does for the kids and the community and the program, and they’re willing to come out and, and support the effort.. And so I think it’s I think it’s just great to be able to do it with it being an event where you can relax and get an opportunity to visit.”
Through ticket sales, auction items and other fundraising methods, the event raised substantial funds to continue to help the Ruston football program, which has made the state championship game all three of the past seasons and won the 2023 state title.
“I think it’s just great for the community to come out here,” Ruston High Principal Dan Gressett said. “We’ve been extremely successful the last few years — the community has totally gotten behind it. We couldn’t do any of this without the support that we have from the community. And it’s just a great event and a chance for everybody to get together before we get kicked off.”
Ruston will play in the 2025 Bayou Jamb Friday, Aug. 29, at 8 p.m. against Neville at Malone Stadium on the campus of UL-Monroe.
