NEW HOPE — Last Friday was a special night for New Hope football as the Trojans got back in the win column for the first time in two seasons. 

The Trojans trailed by two scores in the fourth quarter but fought their way back to register their first win since 2022 and first win under first-year head coach Allen Glenn. 

“It’s good to see some positivity, some excitement from the players,” Glenn said. “I know it’s been some time since they experienced that, but we’ve been preaching since March about doing what it takes to win. We were able to do it Friday, and (it was) great to see them overcome some adversity being down 20-7 in the fourth quarter and able to fight their way back and win.”

Tyrekus Brooks Jr. got the start at quarterback and led the team on the ground as well with 72 rushing yards while running backs Jeremiah Harkins and Jacob Jefferson combined for three touchdowns in the game. 

It was an inspired performance in front of the home crowd to get things moving in a new direction for the program, but Glenn was sure to remind his players that the job is nowhere near finished. 

“There’s been excitement, but they know they have another game on Friday against a really good team,” he said. “We’re excited but it was time to get back to work come Monday.”

The Trojans travel to Ackerman this Friday, matching up against 3A power Choctaw County in their first true road test of the season. In fact, Friday’s tilt will be the first-ever game in Choctaw County’s new $13 million Charger Stadium.

The Chargers are 0-1 after a 22-21 loss to Parklane last week but boast an impressive roster with a lot of experience and a superstar-caliber wideout. 

“One thing we’ve really stressed is we get the opportunity to go and play a really good opponent at their place, an opponent we believe will get us ready for our division. Obviously they have one of the best players in the country at his position in Caleb Cunningham, but I think some other guys get overshadowed by that success.” 

Chargers quarterback KJ Cork has a whole host of weapons in addition to his favorite target, and he is more than capable of making a play himself as well. 

“You have to have an eye on him at all times but they’ve got guys at every position,” Glenn said. “Quarterback, the running back, their other wideouts and their O-line, you’ve got a lot of guys who can hurt you. And on defense, they’re talented at all levels. It’s just a good opponent to get to go play.”

The Trojans want to win, but the most important objective is to continue improving as the season goes on. A test like the Chargers on the road is one Glenn welcomes as he looks to see what his team is made of against some of the best in the state. 

“It’s a matchup issue obviously with a guy at quarterback who can improvise and who hurts you with his legs and his arm, but we’re going to face a lot of guys like that this season,” Glenn told The Dispatch. “It’s one thing we have to focus on defensively within our system, and hopefully, we can do that this Friday night.”