BUFFALO TWP — New Field, Same Tradition.

That is the mantra Freeport varsity football coach John Gaillot is using to transition the Yellowjacket gridders from Swartz Field to their new artificial turf stadium on the school's campus.

“It will definitely feel different,” Gaillot said. “I played my high school football at Swartz Field. There are so many memories there.

“But we're still Freeport and we're still playing Freeport football. We just have a new place to showcase it, that's all.”

Freeport played its home games at Swartz Field for 75 years.

“I know the games are going to be a lot faster now,” senior running back Matt Straughn said. “We'll have to get used to turf burns instead of grass stains.”

The Yellowjackets won't be dealing with mud anymore, either.

“I'm gonna miss that part of it,” senior Adam Fox admitted. “Part of my childhood was playing football in the mud. The atmosphere down there was cool.

“You have to accept change, though. It's still going to be Freeport football. We'll still be playing with all heart.”

Junior lineman Matt Charlton agreed that the atmosphere of a football game at Swartz Field “will be tough to match.”

“That's up to us, though,” he added. “This is a new tradition we're starting.”

Senior lineman Noah Freeman said the number of people who came to watch games at Swartz Field “made the atmosphere. And grass stains are the best.”

While linebacker Travis Wisniewski is happy to be part of the first senior class to play in the new stadium, he acknowledges some pressure that goes with that.

“There is some pressure there,” he said. “We want to get the ball rolling here, have a good season, start something that could last for years to come.

“At the same time, I'll miss everything that went with playing football in town. Getting on the bus, riding down the hill, seeing the lights on right in the middle of town ... The anticipation of those games and the community support are things I'll never forget.”

Senior wide receiver Evan Schaffhauser says he'll enjoy playing on turf because “everyone will move faster.”

The feeling of tackle football on grass will be gone, however.

“There's something about landing in mud or sliding along wet grass while you're making a tackle or going to the ground ... We won't have that anymore.

“But we're starting a new chapter in the book of Freeport football and I love that.”