SCRANTON -- The Friday night lights are back on in Scranton. The West Scranton Invaders took on the Wallenpaupack Area Buckhorns at home Friday night, the first game in weeks because of a teachers’ strike.
"We're very happy. Our grandson plays on West Scranton, so we're very happy about that to see him again. That's a regular Friday night game that we go to and we missed seeing him,” said Betty Wheeler of Scranton.
Three weeks ago, the Scranton Federation of Teachers went on strike. They wore red shirts and passed out fliers on September 25th, the day the strike began.
That night, the Scranton Knights played the Scranton Prep Cavaliers at home.
"There's no better feeling than being out here and cheering underneath the lights. We're glad to be back out here,” said Maria Coyne, a West Scranton senior and cheerleader.
Earlier this week, the teachers union and district reached an agreement, which the school board approved.
Classes began again, so did practices and now, games.
While West Scranton played at home, Scranton took on North Pocono on the road, both football teams in the Scranton district playing again.
"It's great. It's a big part of our high school career, football games, Friday night lights. So it's nice to be back on the field, even in the rain, it's nice to be back out here,” said Ollie DeSarno, a West Scranton senior and Miss Invader.
"Thank God, that's all I could say. The only ones who lost in this whole thing were the children, the students, whether they were athletes, cheerleaders, didn't matter. They're the ones who lost out in this strike so the fact that they're back now, it's a huge relief,” said Lisa Dommes of Scranton.
The approved contract for the Scranton Federation of Teachers is a two-year deal, which includes raises as well as an increase in health insurance deductibles and co-pays.