AUSTIN - The neon lights might be bright on Broadway, but in Texas, it’s all about the stadium lights.

While I was in Austin recently, I visited the shooting location of one of my favorite TV shows, ‘Friday Night Lights.’

It’s easy to accidentally drive by the dilapidated playing field, located near Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, but hard to miss the signs indicating Dillon Panther pride. The grass and weeds need a trim right now, but the stadium is sure to get a face lift when shooting resumes. New episodes air on DirecTV beginning Oct. 1.

There’s no security around so it’s no problem to get close and imagine Coach Taylor, Matt Saracen, Tim Riggins and “Smash” Williams mixing it up on the field.

My brother-in-law, who moonlights as a referee, also plays one on the show. He’s only appeared on screen for a second or two, but he has met Kyle Chandler and says he’s every bit as nice as he seems on the show.

All photos by Charles Williams/P-D