The Emory & Henry mens soccer team recently opened up its season not only on the playing field, but also in the community by helping clear a path for a future recreation trail.

The team helped carve out a section of the 22-mile Clinch Mountain Trail near Hidden Valley Lake in Washington County, Va.

The players and coaches spent several hours working in the hot sun, but at of the end the day they say the results were worth it.

At the end of the trail there was a huge overlook where it seemed like we could see forever, E&H player and Polk County High School 2009 graduate Heath Culbreth said. It was beautiful.

The 20-plus coaches and players helped improve the drainage of the trail by removing rocks and trimming the edges.

Coach Travis Fravel said the experience allowed the players to get to know each other while serving a greater goal.

Emory & Henry College is a place where service to our community is important, Fravel said. We wanted to show the region that our team does more than just play soccer.

Culbreth is one of three players currently on E&H roster from PCHS along with brother Jarrett Culbreth (07) and Josh Trejo (08).

Very few individuals get to continue their athletic career past high school and even fewer get to share it with their brother, so my last two years on the college soccer field has been tremendous, Jarrett Culbreth said.