The Friday night lights are going to be on for a few more weeks as the regular season winds down for high school football.

Some of the people who make these games possible don't get a lot of recognition, despite being some of the most rabid fans of the game.

They're called the Chain Gang.

For the last 29 seasons, Richard Crowder has planted himself on the sidelines for almost every Clayton home game, helping measure the down and distance.

"1980's when I started pulling on the chains," said Crowder.

And he doesn't even have seniority.

Normally, Sherwood Davis would have his 45 years of experience on the field.

"You can count on two hands how many games in 40 years [Davis has] missed," said Bobby Hardee. "But he's got knee problems tonight. He needs to be standing here instead of me."

The chain gang members take a special pride in being a vital part of the game.

And it doesn't hurt being closer to the action than anybody in the stands.

The crew consists of at least four people: someone to man the trailing edge, and ten yards up, the leading edge. One or two people take care of the clip, and of course there's the box, which shows the down and stays right on the line of scrimmage every play.

"My favorite is the flipping -- the box," said Crowder.

They're there every week, but some of the chain gang members haven't even met the players they're cheering on.

"I don't think a lot of them know who I am," said Crowder with a laugh. "We show up on Friday night, pull the chains and go home."

That's just fine by them, though, and after almost three decades, Crowder's already planning for next season.

"Be back, if they need me," he said. "Be back next year."

There were some happy people on the chain gang after the game, too: Clayton beat Smithfield-Selma 13-7.

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