Gracemont Makes History with First-Ever Home Game

Most residents of Gracemont could be found on the sidelines of the Lions' football game Friday, as the team hosted its first-ever home game.

Thursday, July 28th 2011, 5:46 pm

By: News On 6

Gracemont Makes History with First-Ever Home Game

Originally Published: Sep 11, 2010 4:4 PM CDT

Rusty Surette
Special Contributor to Oklahoma Sports

GRACEMONT, Oklahoma -- There’s been a running joke around the town of Gracemont, Oklahoma--there were more people at the Lions’ football game than what actually live in town. That could be true, considering the game is more than 100 years in the making.

For the residents of Gracemont, Friday’s game against Riverfield Country Day was their first experience of hosting a home football game. It was only the second game the team has played.

It was also the first time the town experienced a traffic jam.

“Our big deal is the first home football game ever in the history of Gracemont school,” Gracemont Elementary Principal Roberta Fullbright said.

Several hundred huddled together on the school's baseball field, where the football field was constructed.

The historic football game came after several people in the community pulled together. Donations were collected, volunteers were coordinated and football enthusiasts offered their coaching expertise.

The entire town of Gracemont pulled together to put on the best first home game they could.

“This town has really a rich history in sports and there’s been a lot of kids go through here that would have loved to have the opportunity to play football,” said Gracemont High alumni Ron Cunningham.

The community members were more than happy to lend a helping hand and get the program started on the right foot.

“This is the place to be tonight,” said Gracemont resident Donna Bridges. “Everybody who is in Gracemont knows about it and we’ve all been excited and waiting on this day.”

While the Gracemont Lions lost to Riverfield , the team and the community consider the history-making game a victory anyway.