A cross country coach was a fitting role for Alex Kendrick in that he has helped to coach his kids, all six of which have won cross country championships, many of whom can be seen running in the movie, including his daughters Anna and Joy who can be seen as numbers 33 and 35 in the first race.
The opening was filmed by a drone in one long shot which began about half a mile away from the building. Near the end when it flew down to the court, it had to be caught by a crew member who then held it like a normal camera for the remainder of the scene. Some computer modifications were made including the addition of the team banners and the small window that the drone flies through (the real window was significantly larger). The Kendrick's considered this to be the greatest opening scene in any of their movies. Many other brief clips throughout the film were also taken by drone.
The Pastor at the funeral scene is a real minister named Reggie Williams. He was contacted the day before filming to see if he could come do it. Interestingly, though he had not been contacted before then, he had been told that he would be in a movie. In a brief interview with Stephen Kendrick the day of filming, they explained what happened:
Stephen: I needed a minister part that we had just added to the script for the funeral scene, so I contacted him yesterday, never met him before, he let me know last night he was available today and then he tells me something that kind of blew my mind, tell them what happened.
Reggie: So every Sunday my son in law, after every second service he prays for me. Well about 6 to 8 weeks ago he said that I was going to be in a movie, and I thought "that's just my son in law talking", but GOD knew.
Stephen: Just like GOD.
Reggie: yes just like GOD.
Stephen: I needed a minister part that we had just added to the script for the funeral scene, so I contacted him yesterday, never met him before, he let me know last night he was available today and then he tells me something that kind of blew my mind, tell them what happened.
Reggie: So every Sunday my son in law, after every second service he prays for me. Well about 6 to 8 weeks ago he said that I was going to be in a movie, and I thought "that's just my son in law talking", but GOD knew.
Stephen: Just like GOD.
Reggie: yes just like GOD.
When filming the basketball game where they just barely lose, on the first take or two, Ethan (Jack Sterner) actually made the basket from half court that he was supposed to miss.
Cameron Arnett who played Thomas hill is not really blind. But while filming scenes, he wore contact lenses to obscure his vision some.