ENID, OKLAHOMA — Tuesday marks a historic day in the more than 30-year history of the Enid High School football program.
The Pacers and Plainsmen will make their official home debut when they host Woodward in a girls vs. boys doubleheader at 5:30 p.m. at the Advance Soccer Complex (1526 East Garland Road).
For the first time ever, Enid's team will play on a full-size field (75 yards). It's about 13 yards wider than the field they played at Selby Stadium.
“It allowed us to open up our game more,” Plainsmen coach Jorge Cabada said. “We can make the most of the field, like we did when we beat Southeast (3-0 from scrimmage). We're going to be more efficient and be able to take advantage of our team's speed.”
Cabada said fans will be able to see the difference in dimensions between Selby Field and Advance Field.
“It's just phenomenal,” Cavada said.
Pacers coach Tim Lavoie said the new field also suits the team's fast-paced style and gives Enid a home-field advantage.
“It fits our style of play perfectly,” Lavoie said. “This is becoming a home for us. We'll have a windscreen and Pacers and Plainsmen logos. It's going to be a tough place for other teams to come and play.”
Cabada said more schools (Broken Arrow, Union, etc.) are going to dedicated soccer fields rather than playing in football stadiums.
Although the number of seats will be reduced, the impact on fans could be even greater.
“A lot of teams feed off the energy of their fans,” Lavoie said. “I think the extra noise will give the team a little more energy.”
Both teams lost 2-1 on penalties to Moore, which provides further motivation.
Eva Barnett and Joseph Thompson scored goals for Enid in regulation.
“We want to right the ship,” Lavoie said. “One of our goals has always been to make our home ground into a fortress. If we fix what went wrong last time and go to a penalty shootout next time, we want to make sure we don't lose this time. We try to treat every game like an FA Cup final or a state championship game.”
Cavada will miss the game after being cautioned by Moore. He said he did not feel he deserved the call and he is appealing.
NOC Enid girls coach Cesar Zepeda will coach the team in his absence. Zepeda has been working with the EHS team this season.
“I learned a lot from him,” Cavada said of Zepeda. “I'm able to be more of a father (my son James plays for the Plainsmen) and sit back and watch my son play. There's no question in my mind that he's ready to play.”
Last Friday, Woodward defeated Bethany 2-1 for the girls and 4-0 for the boys. The series will be renewed as the teams have not played each other in the past few years.
“They're a rough bunch,” Cabada said. “They have some really good midfielders and I'm sure they'll be excited to play in this facility. We're excited for our first home game.”
“This is another good test for us,” Lavoie said. “looking forward to it.”
It will be a cancer awareness night. New students are asked to wear purple (the umbrella that protects against all cancers). Second graders are asked to wear yellow because of bone cancer. Junior is asked to wear orange due to his leukemia. Seniors are asked to wear pink for breast cancer.
“We want people to be aware of this,” Lavoie said.
Times have been changed for Friday's doubleheader against Crooked Oak. The women's game begins at 6 p.m. and the men's game begins at 8 p.m.