INDIANAPOLIS -- They may not have their own stadiums or weight rooms, but plenty of fans were on hand Saturday night to cheer on the athletes of two home school football teams.

The Lions Home School Team met the Southside Crimson Knights on the field at Heritage Christian High School, the first-ever match-up between two such teams in the state, 6News' Grace Trahan reported.

Most of the players are home schooled and a few attend schools that don't have football teams.

The middle school players pay between $200 and $300 for their uniform and equipment, while the high school students pay anywhere from $300 to $500.

Still, the players and parents agree it's worth it to give the young athletes a chance to play their favorite sport.

"He's playing now and they've been building up and they just seem like they're getting better and better,” said parent Lester Posey. “I'm just impressed by the number of kids they got out here."

Many of the coaches are dads who have or have had sons on the team.

"Well, it's a thrill. I get thanked quite a bit for the team we put in, but really, the blessing is from getting to know all these other families,” said high school coach Norm Tate.

While the teams do take on often larger, public school competitors, players said they like the challenge.

“That's one of the awesome things about this is you can go up against great odds and if you overcome them, you just feel that much better too,” said high school player Daniel Johanson.

"Well, we just always went out there, did our best and held our own,” said former player Sam Mithoefer.

More home schools teams are popping up around the state, including one being formed in Fort Wayne.

The Lions won Saturday's game, 39-6.