The City of Troy Tourism and Public Relations Department hosted the annual “Countdown to Kickoff” on the square in downtown Troy at noon Thursday.

The “Countdown” featured the head football coaches from the Troy “football” schools, Charles Henderson High School, Pike Liberal Arts School and Troy University.

The football team members and cheerleaders from the high schools and cheerleaders from Troy University join their coaches at the Brown Bag event.

PLAS Coach Gene Allen and CHHS Coach Brad McCoy expressed appreciation to the large gathering of football fans and encouraged them to come out and support their individual schools on Friday nights and also the Troy University Trojans at Veterans Stadium.

Allen and McCoy said it has been a long hot summer and their players have hung in and worked hard preparing for the 2019 football season.

They made no promises of great victories on the gridiron or championship trophies. The only promises that the coaches of the Troy schools made were that their teams would work hard, play hard and make their schools and communities proud.

“Now, let’s play ball!”

First year Troy University Head Coach Chip Lindsey said he is happy to be at Troy University and is looking forward to the football season. He told the high school teams that he will be pulling for them on Friday nights and wished them successful football seasons.

The Troy Trojans will open with Campbell University at home on August 31.

“Two weeks later, we’ll have Southern Miss at home at 5 p.m.,” he said. “We’ll have Georgia Southern, Ap State and Arkansas all at home.”

Lindsey said the Troy University Trojans have a schedule that will be challenging for his Trojans and great games for the fans. 

Lindsey said football is a great game to watch and it also has a positive impact on the lives of those who play the game.

“Football teaches the players about life and about commitment,” he said. “It is a learning experience on the field and off.”

He encouraged the fans to support their teams, to celebrate the wins and accept the losses in the spirit of the game.

Shelia Jackson, Troy tourism and public relations director, expressed appreciation to the coaches, the players, the cheerleaders and the fans who came out to kick off the 2019 football season in true Troy fashion. She also thanked Henry Everett and D.J. Red for providing the entertainment.

“We are all ready for football season,” she said. “Let’s now go out and support our teams throughout the season.”