With so many new faces surrounding the Chilton County High School football program heading into this season, the CCHS Gridiron Club organized a meet-and-greet dinner on Aug. 18.

It was the first year to hold the event, according to club president Chris Smith.

There are seven new coaches alone at the varsity football, not to mention a new band director, cheer sponsor and principal.

The dinner was held in the fellowship hall at Clanton First Baptist Church and was the perfect opportunity to gather, share stories and take a collective breath before jumping into another season.

According to Smith, it served as an introduction for both the coaches and the parents or fans of the team.

“As the gridiron club, we’re here to support the kids and the parents,” Smith said. “That’s who we are.”

First year head coach Tal Morrison explained that he wants people to be proud to say that they are from Chilton County High School and it starts with an attitude of winning.

According to Morrison, the CCHS locker room did not have a “win” sign above the door heading out to the football field, but he has since corrected that.

One of the quotes that resonates with Morrison and is visible in the locker room is “Tough times don’t last, but tough people do.” It is a quote he wants his team to echo.

“We’re going to get things turned around, and it’s going to be done the right way,” Morrison said. “I think our guys are starting to realize that.”

Band director Ashlee Robinson talked to the crowd about how the band feeds off the football program, and that they are working together to achieve their goals of excellence.

“Marching band is the face of the program, but concert band is the heart,” Robinson said.

She plans to focus a lot of energy on the concert band portion for the upcoming year in an attempt for the band program to take that next step.

The Rev. James Watkins of West End Baptist Church capped the night with some words of wisdom and an inspirational message for those coaches in attendance, less than a week from the start of live action.

“I think we’ve really got something special going on here,” Principal Ron Pinson said.