Friday Night Lights are just seven days away.

Every athletic event is fun to cover, but football is a little different than any other sport in Western Pennsylvania.

The band can be heard in the distance while walking through the parking lot. Regardless of a team’s record, the bleachers are often packed. Fans rise to their feet as the public-address announcer introduces the teams.

The atmosphere is simply on another level.

With a marquee matchup, it’s even better.

Looking ahead to the 2013 football season, here are some dates to circle on your calendar.

• Aug. 30 — Franklin Regional at Mars

In a perfect world, these teams would meet in the regular-season finale, but supremacy in the Greater Allegheny Conference could be determined in Week 1. No doubt this season will start off with a bang.

• Sept. 6 — Grove City at Wilmington; Karns City at Clarion

Grove City and Wilmington are among the most consistent winners in all of District 10. Meanwhile, KC-Clarion features the 2012 KSAC Large and KSAC Small champions.

• Sept. 13 — Moniteau at Karns City

Moniteau is coming off a 1-8 season, while the Gremlins won a District 9 championship. Such facts don’t matter in a rivalry game.

• Sept. 20 — Hickory at Grove City

The Eagles endured two losses last season, both at the hands of Hickory, which went on to claim the District 10 title after ousting Grove City in the semifinals. The Eagles will seek revenge in front of the home crowd.

• Sept. 27 — North Allegheny at Butler

Although the Golden Tornado aren’t on the same level as NA, people pay attention when the defending state champions come to town.

• Oct. 4 — Slippery Rock at Warren

These schools met for the District 10 baseball championship, which the Rockets won in come-from-behind fashion. Slippery Rock also prevailed on the gridiron in 2012 when both teams entered the game with a 5-0 record. The bad blood is building.

• Oct. 11 — Mars at Knoch; Grove City at Slippery Rock

There’s no questioning the legitimacy of these rivalries — or the success of their football programs over the past two seasons.

• Oct. 12 — Indiana (Pa.) at Slippery Rock University

This isn’t a high school game, but it couldn’t be left off the list. IUP is the defending PSAC champion in football and SRU returns plenty of firepower. It has heavyweight bout written all over it.

• Oct. 18 — Butler at Fox Chapel

The Golden Tornado punched a ticket to the WPIAL playoffs for the first time since 1998 with a 49-7 romp over the Foxes last season. The memories will build anticipation for this contest.

Memories are what high school football is all about.