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COLUMBIA, SC (WACH) - The barefoot coaching movement is growing some legs in the Midlands.

In December, Glenforest School athletics director William Knopf challenged high school coaches across the state to coach one game barefoot this season to raise awareness for a charity called Samaritan's Feet.  The group collects shoes for needy children. 

Knopf has been coaching barefoot for four seasons and involves his students in service projects for the cause.  Over the  years, they have collected money and 2,000 shoes by involving the community in the effort.

On Friday, two Midlands-area high school coaches are responding to Knopf's challenge.  Ridge View boys basketball team coach John Combs and Richland Northeast coach Jason Powell will coach barefoot against each other Friday night to help the cause.

Combs is also encouraging parents, students, and fans to bring an old pair of jeans to the game to support the Teens for Jeans project.  Everyone who does will get $1 off their admission to the game. 

"We want to teach our students, and also maybe their parents as well the importance of giving back to the community," said Combs.

Coach Combs also participated in William Knopf's annual Barefoot Walk earlier this month.

Knopf's challenge to the other coaches in the state is still open for the rest of the season.