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Wilcox-Emanuel Co. title game set for Rochelle
By HARVEY SIMPSON
Dispatch Sports Editor
ROCHELLE — Contrary to rumors that the Wilcox-Emanuel County Institute Class A state title game will be played in Fitzgerald, Cordele or elsewhere, the contest will be staged here on Friday.
And, it’s important to know that the Georgia High School Association — not the host school — will have control over most of the preparations for the contest that kicks off at 8 p.m.
“Basically, it’s their show and they’re going to be calling most of the shots,” Wilcox athletic director Donnie Clack said. “About the only major requirements we have to meet are permanent seating for 2,000 fans and an adequate pressbox for the media and other game officials.”
To verify that Wilcox does meet those mandates, the GHSA is sending a representative to the school on Tuesday to meet with Clack and Patriots head coach Mark Ledford for a stadium inspection.
“The GHSA provides the 6,000 tickets (each school gets 2,000 for advance sales with the remaining 2,000 to be available at the gate) for the game as well as the people who sell and take them up,” Clack said.
Wilcox’s share of the tickets will go on sale at 8 a.m. Monday at the school business office. They are $10 each and none of them are reserved. No one will be allowed to stake out a seat in advance or save seats for spectators making later arrivals. To make sure that rule is followed, security personnel will be present.
On game day, the GHSA has ordered that the stadium remain locked until gates open at 5 p.m. when personnel on hand will begin disbursing programs free of charge to fans as they enter.
In addition to its ticket control, the GHSA also will have on hand an overall game manager, personnel to man the pass gates, the public address announcer, a designated pressbox supervisor and game and auxiliary officials.
“They’ll also licensed vendors in charge of sales for commemorative items such as T-shirts and will be in control of signage for GHSA cooperative partners,” Clack said.
“We realize this represents a big change from the way we normally handle things, but it’s GHSA policy and we ask our fans to willingly follow it.
“We’ve gotten good cooperation all year and hopefully that will continue to be the case. It is a tremendous honor and privilege to be able to host what we think is going to be a great state championship game and we definitely want to put our best foot forward.”
Wilcox and ECI earned berths in their first-ever state grid championship contest by posting semifinal wins in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta this past Friday. The Patriots beat Athens Academy 32-14 and the Bulldogs defeated Clinch County 35-14.
“It’s difficult to put into words just how great it feels to accomplish what we have thus far this season,” Clack said. “Getting to play in the Dome is something our kids, coaches and fans will never forget.
“The backing we had there was absolutely tremendous. In fact, Dr. (Ralph) Swearngin (the GHSA executive director) said we had probably the biggest Class A fan following he’d ever seen.
“Support and enthusiasm is at an all-time high for our football team and speaking for everyone involved in the program as well as all school officials we want to let our fans know they’re very much appreciated.”
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