The newly formed East Texas Christian Academy 6 man football team warms up for practice at the school in Tyler Aug. 9, 2017. The new team is mostly made up of freshman students. They will host a scrimmage Aug. 26 at 1 p.m. against King's Academy and Exel HomeSchool. (Sarah A. Miller/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

High school football is as Texan as Whataburger and the Alamo, and one local high school is finally joining that tradition.

East Texas Christian Academy is set to launch its new six-man football team for the Fall 2017 season. So far, the school has about a dozen students ready to play.

Senior Stephen Moore had never played a real game of football, but with the help of his coaches and YouTube videos, he is ready to help lead his team into its first season.

“I’ve only ever played in the front yard and back yard,” he said.

Moore and his teammates were in the final stretch of practices before their first game, the field not yet ready to play on.

Sebastian Nichols was catching his breath during a break from practice on the baseball field as a light rain and heavy humidity pushed the team to their limits.

“It’s been good, it’s been rough for the first week, but it’s been getting better and better,” Nichols said. “I’m looking forward to travelling with teammates and building relationships that last a long time.”

Coach Joe Permenter said the team will play its first season on Saturdays, as they raise funds to install field lighting.

“Our population already goes to football games every Friday night,” he said. “Now they can go to their own team’s games. They can be part of the East Texas football fever.”

Permenter said the school is involving every student who wants to be a part of the program. The team is open to any high schooler who wants to play, the cheerleaders and pep squad will join them at every game and even the youngest students will have a chance to hit the field.

“We’re doing the whole thing all the way down to our little panthers,” Permenter said. “You’ll have to come see them do a victory run.”

While the gameplay will be largely familiar to football fans, Permenter said there are some differences. The field is only 80 yards long, by 40 yards wide and downs are taken in 15-yard increments rather than 10.

Permenter said the real excitement comes from how open the field becomes during play. All players are eligible to receive, which leads to many one-on-one plays.

Permenter is excited to see how adding the area’s favorite sport helps bring the school together.

The season will begin with an Aug. 26 scrimmage against King’s Academy at ETCA’s new field, 2448 Roy Road.

Twitter: @TMT_Cory