First official football game for Trinity Christian School Warriors on Friday
Thursday and Friday are big days for Texarkana, Arkansas' Trinity Christian as the school prepares for its first-ever football pep-rally and first official football game.
The Warriors already have a diverse athletic program, but football was notably absent from the line-up.
Indeed, the addition of football to the athletic program should help the well-regarded school recruit even more students in years to come.
The Warrior's first football pep rally will take place on Thursday.
And the first official varsity game will be played against the Hermitage Hermits in Hermitage, Arkansas on Friday night.
Greg Jones of Trinity Christian School told TexarkanaSports.com the excitement was palpable among Trinity fans. "We had a scrimmage last week, and I think we had more fans than the home team," he said.
Trinity Warriors merch is also seeing brisk sales, and the school has had to order more of almost everything due to high demand.
"It's an exciting time for us, and every game of the season will be a big deal to us," Jones said.
Jones says Trinity Christian decided to start football as "road warriors" this year as they work towards a temporary field for the next couple years and eventually a permanent stadium location.
Friday's game will be considered a home game but will be played in Hermitage.
Starting the team was severe enough, Jones said, and full football facilities will be coming in later years.
TexarkanaSports.com spoke with Chase Ellis, head coach of Hermitage, who was pleased to host the Warriors in their first-ever game.
"We are excited and looking forward to a good game of football," Coach Ellis said. "I have never coached a new team, but I did coach the first 8-man team at Hermitage. It's not easy."
Ellis said the people of Hermitage are happy to welcome the team and "see what happens" with the final result. "I'm glad these young people are getting to play football," he added.
The Warrior's announced the new football team jerseys in with style in March 2019 with Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame inductee Houston Nutt at the Texarkana Convention Center.
Besides football, Trinity Christian's other sports include basketball, cross country, track and field, baseball, softball, golf, cheer, and mini-cheer.
The Warriors will have a busy first season. Opponents include Brinkley, Woodlawn (Rison), Augusta, Western Yell County, Decatur and Episcopal (Little Rock).
Trinity Christian fans will likely come out in large numbers and make the two-hour drive to Hermitage.
On the way home, the team's fans might even be planning their first football victory celebration.
Let's hope so.
