El Paso High School identified as birthplace of Texas Friday Night Lights

R. R. Jones Stadium at El Paso High School is credited as the birthplace of the Texas Friday Night Lights tradition. On September 29, 1928, the stadium hosted the first Friday night football games in the state of Texas.

During the historic matchup, the El Paso High School Tigers defeated the Alpine Ross Cubs 26 to 0. The event drew a crowd of over 10,000 spectators, with hundreds more watching from nearby hills. The field was illuminated by 80 bulbs of 300 watts each, making R. R. Jones Stadium the first stadium in Texas to feature permanent outdoor lighting for sporting events.

In addition to its role in high school football history, the venue hosted the first three Sun Bowl games between 1935 and 1937. The stadium has been recognized by various sports media outlets as one of the top high school stadiums in the country.