Monday, September 11th 2017, 6:16 pm
A small town in Creek County has a new reason for school spirits this year - their first ever high school football team.
High school football season. It's something so many people take for granted, but for the town of Olive, it's just getting started.
Friday night lights are a favorite past-time for towns across the state.
"It's Friday night football, you know? It brings everybody together," said Olive football fan Brian Rector.
But, in this tiny Creek County community, those lights are flickering on for the first time.
Fans are going all out, tailgating outside the baseball-turned-football field.
"We look forward to Friday nights just for this," Rector said. "Win or lose, it doesn't matter."
Pads on, cleats tied, it's a brand new feeling for these players.
Most have never played a game.
"I always had the dream of being the quarterback," said quarterback Bradley Walker. "Played baseball, a little bit of basketball. But I always wanted to play football so I was excited that it came here."
"It's like an adrenaline rush like no other, it really is," said Alek Nino, who's the team's receiver, corner and tight end.
In a small town like Olive, the players say they're fully aware all eyes are on them.
"Just the fact that everybody's sitting there watching you, running through the banner... everybody in this community is pumped about football," Walker said.
Head Coach David Perkins said there's a long list of improvements his team needs to make.
Regardless, he said the potential is there.
"Kind of, not frustrating, but kind of like, ugh, we're right there. We're just so close to breaking through to that next level," Perkins said. "We're on the cusp of getting one, but we got to do things right, and winning will take care of itself."
Coach Perkins said the only thing they lack is experience, but that'll come. He said soon, they'll be a force to be reckoned with.
September 11th, 2017
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