Football Returns To Allen's Eagle Stadium

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ALLEN (CBSDFW.COM) - The Allen Eagles face off against the Denton Guyer Wildcats on Friday in what is known as the Tom Landry Classic. It is not the homecoming game for Allen, but it is a homecoming of sorts.

This will be the first time that the Eagles play football in their home stadium since 2013.

Students, like senior Genesis Turman, can barely contain their enthusiasm. "We've just been super hype... and it's finally here. It's the first game! We went to the scrimmage, but it totally wasn't the same. This is our stadium. We're like, 'we're there.'"
The $60 million football stadium was closed in February 2014 after officials found massive cracks in the concrete. Now, more than a year and a half later, repairs to the concourse, ramps, press box and scoreboard are complete. The stadium is ready for some football.

The stadium originally opened in August 2012. It cost at least $10 million to make the recent fixes. But taxpayers do not have to foot the bill. The stadium's architect and builders took care of the cost.

The repair work was completed back in May of this year, and Allen High School held its graduation ceremony at the facility in June.

Meanwhile, the Eagles have been state champions for three years in a row, even when they had to play an entire season on the road. They never got to play football at Eagle Stadium last year because the building was off limits.

Defensive end Levi Onwuzurike said being away from the home field definitely had an impact. "It means a lot, because we haven't played here in a year. Personally, I've never played here. Last year, we were on the road, so to be back at home is great."