CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Veterans Memorial Eagles football team is getting ready to battle it out against San Antonio Wagner.
The winner will advance to the state semi-finals, at the A-T&T Stadium, where the Dallas Cowboys play.
So how do the players and coaches feel about the matchup?
Our Action 10 News team met with the Eagles at their last practice before they go head to head with San Antonio Wagner.
If you didn't know, years past, Veterans Memorial has made it to the semi-finals. However, this will be the first time in school history that this team will participate in the regional finals.
“It's awesome I mean this is history if not only for Vets but just for CCISD in general, so we just want to show off, for our city for our fans and play our hearts out,” says defensive back MJ Rodriguez.
Head Coach Cody Simper says this season, the team has faced some adversity, but throughout it all, these players never gave up and are ready to face their opponent.
“Of course, we're always striving to get better you know we're going to go in the film room the day after the game and make our corrections and work on it through practice throughout the week but we're seeing a different type of opponent this week a completely different offense and a completely defense so they pose their own set of challenges,” says Coach Simper.
“They're a solid team I'm not going to lie, they have a really a lot of athletic players and big players but I believe the coaches set up a good plan for this week so I think we're going to come out good,” says Vets Memorial long snapper Jacob Garza.
For the ones who may want to attend the game but are in need of transportation to Buc Stadium, the Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority is stepping in to help fans with free shuttle services.
And before the game, players share key things to keep in mind.
“Just staying calm, sticking to the game plan our coaches put together an awesome game plan and I think as players if we can just stick to it we will be alright,” says Rodriguez.
The game will take place at Buccaneer stadium starting at 7 pm and will also air live for Thomas J. Henry's Game Night South Texas.
This will air on our sister station KRIS 6 six news at 7:30 pm.