They have seen The Star being built while driving around Frisco for the past three years, they thought and dreamed about playing in the Ford Center for the past three years, on Saturday they finally got live it. Since the Cowboys announced they were moving to Frisco, this has been on the minds and the anticipation has been building.
“I was really anxious waiting to play in the first game at the Ford Center.” Offensive lineman Jason Moore of Independence High School who played in the first ever game said. “We had a walk through here a week ago, but it was totally different today, I’ve never played in front of a crowd this big before so that was amazing and finally being able to play here, it lived up to what I expected.”
Frisco ISD contributed $30 million to the building of Ford Center at The Star, so they would be able to play high school games in the 12,000 seat indoor facility at the Cowboys World Headquarters. With nine high schools now in Frisco, they were in need of another high school stadium, and the partnership was a no-brainer. It’s the first time an NFL team has partnered with a school district to jointly use a facility.
Inside The Ford Center as Reedy and Independence warm up. This is Reedy’s first ever varsity game @texashsfootball pic.twitter.com/dJMyx4m0Ur
— Warren Schorr (@wschorr) August 27, 2016
Paul Siebert has been a resident since his parents moved to Frisco in 1977 and is a graduate of Frisco High School Class of ’91 and he never thought he would see any Frisco school have home games in something like this.
“I never thought I would see this, I’ve seen Frisco change a lot since I have lived here and sometimes I think it’s the small town from back in the day.” he said. “Its great for the city and I’m really glad students in this district will have this experience and something that people that live here can be proud of.”
The hope of the partnership was that there would be interaction between the high school players and Cowboy players on day one didn’t disappoint. The Jones family was on hand, and Steven Jones said that the opening even surprised him with how great everything was and how the community turned for the event. During the Lone Star vs Heritage game, Brandon Carr, Cole Beasley, Lance Dunbar and other Cowboys players were checking out the action as they had a break from their busy day. Later in the game Dez Bryant was seen on the sidelines and the stadium erupted when he was on the video board.
Some members of the Cowboys checking out some of the action at The Ford Center @texashsfootball pic.twitter.com/4Hhl6zXqld
— Warren Schorr (@wschorr) August 27, 2016
“I really wish I could have played in something like this in high school, the stadium is really loud and it seems like it would be really fun to play in.” Cowboys’ running back Lance Dunbar said. “This is a great opportunity for the kids, and I hope they take advantage of it cause it’s really awesome.”
The Star Kickoff featured a quadruple header featuring all Frisco high schools that have varsity football. The newest schools Reedy (first ever varsity football game) vs. Independence opened the action at 9:00am and the oldest schools; Frisco High vs. Centennial played the nightcap at 8:30pm. The closest game of the day was the final one which the Raccoons defeated the Titans 16-13 to give the final some drama after watching a day of blowouts.
The day the city has been waiting three years for finally came, and it’s a day the city can be proud of. For people that attended, it will be something they never forget.
