For the first time since El Reno High School football moved to Memorial Stadium in 1949, a game will be played there on a non-natural grass surface as the first phase of renovations edge closer to completion.

That’s not the only first for El Reno football under head coach Chuck Atchison as the Indians enter the 2021 season in a new role as the hunted rather than the hunter.

El Reno is the defending District 5A-1 champ, winning last season’s title with an undefeated run through the league slate. It was EHS’ first district title in more than a decade.