Preseason games are usually a time for coaches and players to find out more about each other, building trust among themselves in hope of fulfilling dreams of winning a championship.

But last week's Iron City Jamboree was much more for the entire town of Blacksburg as it marked the return of one of its own in Blacksburg High head football coach Mickey Moss and a renewed faith in its football program.

A near-capacity crowd filled T.A. Campbell Stadium for the three preseason games. Blacksburg was able to walk away with a 6-6 tie against Cherryville (N.C.).

"It was a good start for us as a team," Moss said. "But there is a lot of work still to be done."

While the coach acknowledges his team needs to sharpen its skills prior to Friday's season-opening matchup with Walhalla, much excitement about the 2008 campaign has spread around the town of about 2,000 residents.

"A real good crowd was at the jamboree," said Blacksburg Mayor David Hogue. "A lot of parents and kids were involved in the festivities. That is definitely a good sign for the football program and the town."

Hogue has publicly given Moss a lot of credit for the work being done to build tradition and pride within the school's football program. The painting of a large block letter "B" in the center of the home stands and the large turnout for spring practices are good signs things are heading in the right direction, the mayor said.

"Coach Moss' return has been real good for the town," Hogue said. "He has made people around here excited about Friday nights."

While his main concern lies in Blacksburg, Hogue believes the county has a lot to be excited about in coming weeks.

"We have a new coach here that we all are excited about while Gaffney recently opened a new addition and has a new stadium," Hogue said. "Cherokee County is a good place to be right now."