Cowboys, Frisco schools open Ford Center at The Star with 4 games
Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys know how to put on a good show.
First it was AT&T Stadium in 2009. Now it’s the Ford Center in 2016.
The 12,000-seat indoor stadium at The Star — the new Cowboys headquarters in Frisco — made its football debut with a Frisco ISD quadruple-header Saturday.
This is a big day for the Dallas Cowboys and Frisco, and certainly the students in the ISD.
Dallas Cowboys Executive Vice President Charlotte Jones
Four games were played in two sessions, sold out since July, included Frisco Lone Star vs. Heritage, which was telecast on ESPNU. Lone Star, which won 62-14, was a runner-up in the Class 5A Division II state final last season.
“Like I told everybody else, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I hope our kids soaked it up and had an opportunity to enjoy it,” Lone Star coach Jeff Rayburn said. “Our kids did a great job at handling all the things surrounding this game and played a great football game.
“Whether you win or you lose, obviously you want to be on the winning side, be 1-0 in district, but for our students, for our schools and for our city, it’s a special moment to have all these things going in the city of Frisco.”
The day began with Independence vs. Reedy, which is in its inaugural season after opening in 2015. Independence, in its third year of UIL football, won 54-3. Quarterback Kyle Saddler hit Colton Nielsen for a 27-yard touchdown with 8:54 left in the first quarter — the first score in the stadium’s history.
“It’s an awesome feeling — to say you get to open up The Star and get that first victory and we did that today,” Independence coach Kyle Story said. “Our guys talked about it, when you come down the tollway, they can say we’re the first ones to win a game in that facility, so a great feeling for them.”
I love this stadium, love the field and the turf was nice, and I’m just thankful to have the opportunity to be able to play here.
Independence senior Jason Moore
The Cowboys organization showed its support. Dez Bryant, Lance Dunbar, Brandon Carr and Orlando Scandrick were among Cowboys players on the sidelines, interacting and taking photos with fans. Owner Jerry Jones and executive vice presidents Stephen Jones and Charlotte Jones Anderson also made appearances.
“This is so exciting, it’s what we’ve all been waiting for,” Anderson said. “Not just Frisco, but our players were so excited. They were out on the sideline earlier today, shaking the kids’ hands in the locker room, and they’re as excited as we are for these kids to have a chance to play for the first time.”
Even with the news of Tony Romo’s back injury, Stephen Jones was able to smile and talk about how special the day meant for the Cowboys and for Frisco.
“We had a great day today at The Star,” he said. “This is what The Star is all about, the relationship and partnership with not only the city of Frisco, but the Frisco ISD and that really hit home with us. We were going to share a high school stadium.
“I already saw Dez down there with some of the players and that’s what it’s all about. And it’s not just about the football players, it’s about the band members, the cheerleaders, the pep squad and dancers, everybody is involved.”
In the evening session, Wakeland played Liberty while Centennial matched up against Frisco High.
“It’s inspirational,” Jerry Jones said. “I saw the boy that scored the first touchdown, and I got to thinking, he made the first touchdown in the Ford Center there in Frisco and that’ll be a memory he’ll always have. He’s going to enjoy that picture for the rest of his life.”
This story was originally published August 27, 2016 at 8:58 PM with the headline "Cowboys, Frisco schools open Ford Center at The Star with 4 games."