Chavis McCollister led Tenaha to the state championship ten years ago.

Now, McCollister has crossed the state line. He's in Louisiana. And he's crossed the Red River. He's in Bossier City.

The East Texan is playing Arena Football. He plays for the Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings.

McCollister caught 46 touchdown passes last season and he caught four more in Saturday night's season opener.

"I got behind the zone," McCollister said. "I just tried to make a play."

Marvin Byrdsong used to play for Longview High School.

He played college ball at Mississippi State and Northwestern State.

Now, Byrdsong is a Battle Wing.

"I'm playing close to home," Byrdsong said. "I still have football in me."

"I'll keep playing until my knees fall off," Byrdsong added.

How tough is this league? Indoor football is still football.

Byrdsong tried to toss a player over the wall.

It's tough physically and it's tough mentally.

Bossier was in a battle Saturday night. The Wings lost a 20-point lead in the second half. Bossier lost the game by one point.

Jon Lyles is the Battle Wings' offensive coordinator.

He's from Arp and he saw his team lose, 55-54.

"What we've done about getting fans excited about arena football here, it's discouraging to come out and lose this first football game," Lyles said.

"But we get to come right back home next week and get it right."