The idea had been rattling in my head since I was thirteen years old, the idea of high school sports keeping a town together, keeping it alive. So I went in search of Friday night lights… a real America.
-- H.G. Bissinger (Preface paragraph 2)

Importance: H.G. Bissinger explains his motives for writing the book. He explains since he was young, he has been fascinated by the idea that high school football could be the lifeblood of a small American town. As such, in his thirties, he set off to find such a small town to write about –specifically, Odessa, Texas, which is as close to the heart of real America as one can get.

Athletics lasts for such a short period of time. It ends for people. But while it lasts, it creates this make-believe world where normal rules don’t apply…It’s Camelot for them. But there’s even life after it.
-- Permian High School father (Preface paragraph 21)

Importance: Here...