ROSEVILLE, Calif. — Adventure Christian School in Roseville is making history with its first-ever high school football team.

Students and coaches say the launch of the program is a milestone for the school, which has been around for more than 20 years but never fielded a team until now. Instead of the traditional format, the school will play 8-man football.

“It feels awesome. We’re going to be in the history books at this school. I love it,” said sophomore Ryan Fretland.

Junior Josh Cherry added, “It’s very exciting to be part of the first team. It’s a good time, and I’m glad to set the way for the future.”

The idea came from head coach Deane Surface, who said he proposed the program two years ago when the elementary school expanded to include a high school.

“When they decided to start a high school, I said, ‘If you’re going to do this right, you need to have a high school football team,’” Surface said.

He recalled presenting a full plan to school leaders. “I put together a budget, I put together a vision, I said here’s what we want to do, how we want to do it, and the way it needs to be done. And they looked at me and said, ‘Let’s do it.’”

The Warriors are now in final preparations for their debut game Friday night, and players say the anticipation is growing.

“I’m very excited. Very nervous. I’ve never played in a football game before. It will be the first time ever. Nervous is a big one,” Cherry said.

Fretland agreed. “We’re all a little nervous obviously. A lot of us have never really played before. But if we all do our jobs, we’ll be alright.”

Surface said the focus this season is straightforward. “We want to play football. We want to play good football. We want to play hard-nose, smash-mouth, clean, fun-loving football, and we’re going to do it in Jesus’ name.”

As for why other teams should be wary of the Warriors, Cherry said, “We’re just better. We’ve got a good group of guys. We’ve got good camaraderie. And we have strength.”

And while touchdown celebrations may not be part of the playbook yet, Fretland said that could change. “No. We’ll get there probably.”

Adventure Christian School will play their home games at Mahany Park in Roseville. The Warriors open up their season this Friday August 22nd at Foresthill High School.

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