The response was likely not what FFRF expected.

At last Friday's game, students, fans, coaches and players from both teams, as well as the referees took to the field for a massive prayer session led by a group of students.

"We are not going to stop any student who wants to exercise their freedom of religious expression such as a prayer," Ashdown superintendent Jason Sanders told KSLA. "As for the situation Friday night, I think that is a great example of student freedom and the rights of students to express themselves religiously and the government not get involved and keep them from doing that."

Sanders told KTBS he consulted with the "Alliance for Defending Freedom" about the FFRF complaint—which takes issue with the pre-game prayers, as well as a high school band director who allegedly led students in prayer—and concluded the district has not violated the law.

"We feel like that the freedom of our students to express themselves will hold up in a court of law," he said.

FFRF contends it issued the legal threat last month after the group was contacted by a concerned student, but First Baptist Church Pastor Butch Riddle said the missive has been a blessing for Believers.

"It's encouraged the students to understand that they can in fact pray in many different ways and different times," Riddle said. "You cannot really legislate morality. You cannot legislate religious conviction."

And you cannot keep Ashdown residents from exercising their faith.

"I believe we should keep praying," resident Gerald McElhenon told KSLA. "If they don't want to listen, they can just leave."

Avid Ashdown Panthers fans Pat and Susy Dillenger, who live across the street from the school, told the news site they don't think it's FFRF's place to demand changes from local school officials.

"Always had prayer at every game," Dillenger said. "You know, it's terrible when somebody can come from way up north to tell you what you can do down here at your school."

Many folks who commented online seemed to have a similar opinion on the situation.

"I think we need freedom from the Freedom From Religion Foundation," Kay Vandiver Compton posted to Facebook.

"Way to go Mr. Sanders and students!" Rhonda Barker added. "I wish more schools would quit tiptoeing around being afraid of offending people. God is the only One we have to be afraid of offending! God Bless You All!!"

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

Hollywood Revival? Candace Cameron Bure on Jesus Invading Hollywood: 'It's Pretty Incredible'

'Absolute Miracle': Texas Boy Survives After Being 'Sucked Up' by Deadly Tornado

UK Bans Gender-Neutral Bathrooms for New Buildings and Rebuilds

IDF Captures Strategic Rafah Border Crossing Between Egypt and the Southern Gaza Strip

REVEALED: Attorney Prosecuting Trump in Manhattan Took THOUSANDS in DNC Cash.

Former CNN anchor Chris Cuomo reveals he is suffering from COVID vaccine side effects

'Unsung Hero', Go See This Movie If You Get a Chance; a Beautiful Story of a Wonderful and Famous Christian Music Family

Nolte: Exclusive—71 Percent Want Disney to End LGBTQ Agenda, Brand in Freefall

Chick-fil-A Set to Convert Strip Club, Site of Recent Murder into a New Restaurant

Wow! Man Points Gun at Pastor Delivering Sermon, What Happened Next Is a 'Miracle'

US Service Members Waiting for Congress and Department of Defense to Acknowledge COVID Shot Mandate Was Unlawful and Harmful

No Deal with Hamas as Israel Marks Holocaust Remembrance Day

Trump Hit With 10th Gag Order Violation, Judge Weighs Jail Time

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Bans Woke Indoctrination in Teacher Training Programs

Arizona Dem Governor Katie Hobbs Repeals State's Near-Total Abortion Ban

'Darkness Doesn't Stand a Chance': A Great Multitude Takes Part in 2024 National Day of Prayer

City of Muenster in Texas Becomes 69th 'Safe Haven' City for the Unborn in the US

Clues: US Anti-Israel Protests Fueled by Major Foreign Funding; Backed by Iran, Hamas

Top Biden DOJ Official Busted for Lying About Past Arrest

Victory for Election Integrity: Court Blocks Undated Ballots