It’s been a long time coming for the Frenship Tiger football program.

After nine months away from the field and in the grind of a grueling off-season program, the Tigers finally return to competition this week as the 2018 season gets underway. FHS is set to do battle with Amarillo High Thursday night in the season opener, a game head coach Jay Northcutt says is a reward for the team’s efforts.

“This is a group who has dedicated themselves to getting better,” Northcutt said. “They’ve embraced the culture of the program and you could see it in the way they handled their business preparing for the season. They worked hard in the spring and through the summer, and we’ve seen their efforts this fall as we’ve prepared.”

The 2018 Tigers includes a large group of returning players who gained valuable playing time and experience last year. That added to the new batch of players joining the varsity has the program eager for 2018.

“We’re excited to play,” Northcutt added. “You’re always eager to see the progress of the kids, and the best way to see it is against someone else. Amarillo is a worthy opponent and we’re looking forward to the chance to play.”

Thursday night’s kickoff between the Tigers and Sandies is set at 7:00 p.m. at Dick Bivins Stadium in Amarillo.

The game can be heard of DoubleT 97.3 FM, www.doublet973.com or the DoubleT 973 mobile app.