This season has been one of firsts for the Meadowview Christian School Trojans.

From their first victory in three seasons to their first playoff berth since 1996, the Trojans have been on a wonderful roller coaster ride that has brought them to this point. Meadowview Christian takes to the road Friday night to face unbeaten Clarke Prep in the first round of the AISA playoffs.

Trojans coach Rick Jackson called this season one in which his team experienced many new emotions and accomplishments that have brought the Trojans together.

“Our biggest game has to have been our first win against Jefferson Christian,” Jackson said. “I had kids who hadn’t experienced victory since the seventh grade. So for us to get that win was very special.”

Another game that Jackson said helped the Trojans come together as a team was their week five dogfight against Kingwood. In that game, Maplesville led by as much as two touchdowns, before Kingwood took advantage of Meadowview turnovers to get back in the game.

The Trojans, however, assembled a long drive late in the game to score the winning touchdown.

“We really grew up that game,” Jackson said. “The kids understood what it was like to play under pressure.”

However, the most impressive exhibition of pure guts and determination was shown last week by the Trojans in their 27-6 win over Coosa Valley that clinched the team’s first playoff berth in eight years. The game was particularly special for freshman right defense end Rob Gordon, who registered three quarterback sacks and a fumble recovery.

“To play in a situation when you win and you’re in, lose and you go home, that was a lot of pressure for the guys,” Jackson said. “They had never played in a crucial game that meant so much to so many people.”

Games like the three aforementioned have become cornerstones to the Trojans’ season. However, Meadowview Christian may just be on the verge of its biggest challenge to date.

According to Jackson, several players have missed practice this week due to a stomach virus. Among the sick are quarterback Chris Sewell, center Ryan Stephens and fullback/wide receiver/placekicker Tyler Wendell.

Jackson added that Sewell had not even been to school this week. The MCS coach added that Sewell would not play Friday night at Clarke Prep if he were unable to practice Wednesday. In that case, Jackson said, the ball would be directly snapped to running back Dustin Lee.

“We’ll go to a single wing and snap it right to Dustin,” Jackson said. “Wednesday is usually our day of defensive preparation. But because of all the kids we have sick, we have a lot of things we have to do differently.

“I’m disappointed for the kids,” Jackson added. “I’ve been with them every step of the way and I’ve seen them set goals and make the commitment to reach them. Here it is, the most exciting time of the season and they’re not healthy. I know how bad they want to play in the playoffs, and now they’re sick.”

While Jackson could sympathize with the players’ plight this week, he added that he expects a full effort Friday night.

“Unfortunately, the kids are sick. But if we have to crawl down there and take a doctor with us, that’s what we’ll do.

“We’re not going to let this illness put a damper on things. Whether we go down there 60, 70, 80, 90 percent healthy or less than that, we’re going to play the best football we possibly can.”