Westlake High and 'Friday Night Lights'

Though it's really about Odessa's Permian High School, Westlake figures prominently in Friday Night Lights, which opens in Austin on Friday, Oct. 8 (see "Film Listings," for a review and showtimes). The Chaparrals' stadium filled in for Permian's Ratliff Stadium until a last-minute reversal allowed director Peter Berg's crew to film game scenes at Ratliff, and several Westlake students appear as extras. Berg was supposed to be on hand for the preview Monday night at Westgate, but couldn't make it, though he will reportedly pay a call on Westlake in the near future. After the screening, which climaxes with a gripping state championship game between Permian and Dallas Carter filmed in the Astrodome, several members of the Westlake football team congregated outside the theatre. "Guys, I'm inspired," said one obviously pumped player. Whether that inspiration – which might have been helped along by the Explosions in the Sky score – carries over to the 3-2 Chaps' home game against Austin High under the real Friday night lights remains to be seen.