Local news
Ticket demand leads Wilcox to move state title game here
By HARVEY SIMPSON
Dispatch Sports Editor
CORDELE — With tickets to Friday’s Class A state championship game between Wilcox and ECI, selling like hot cakes on a cold January morning, the decision has been made to move the contest here. Kickoff time remains at 8 p.m.
“When we realized how high the ticket demand was golng to be in both communities involved, our administration felt the best option was to move the game to a location we felt would still seem almost like a home game and Cordele was the perfect spot,” Patriot coach Mark Ledford said.
“If we can’t play in Rochelle, Cordele is about as close as we can get to it. Plus, it’s a great stadium. Our kids are comfortable playing there (having visited Crisp in each of the last two years for preseason scrimmages) and are familiar with the surroundings.”
Georgia High School Association representative Steve Figueroa said the state fire marshal’s was going to cut ticket sales off at 5,000 had the game stayed in Rochelle.
That would have meant a lot of fans would not have gotten to attend the contest and over half that number fortunate enough to be in attendance would have been forced to stand since Donnie Clack Stadium only seats 2,088.
“That’s another reason we seriously began to consider moving the game,” Ledford said. “We didn’t want any of our fans and family members to miss out on the opportunity to witness the first football state championship game in the 52-year history of our school.”
Both schools initially sold out their allotted 2,000 tickets and were later given another 500 due but still could not meet the demand.
In Wilcox’s case, about half of its first 2,000 tickets were actually purchased by fans from neighboring counties which meant some of the Patriot players had family members who were without tickets.
“There were also going to be many members of both communities who had supported the teams all year long but were not going to be able to get into the stadium and we didn’t want that to happen either.”
With Crisp County’s Cougar Den having a capacity in excess of 5,600, most of the seating problems have been resolved. However, there still figures to be a lot of fans standing as Ledford said from all indications the game may draw as many as 8-10,000 spectators.
“With two good teams playing each other and with only one other Friday night game on tap (in Waycross where AAAA Ware County hosts Northside Warner Robins), fans from numerous south and middle Georgia cities are expected to attend our game,” Ledford said.
To familiarize Patriot players with the game setting, Ledford plans to send the Patriots through their normal Thursday walk-through session at the Crisp County stadium today.
An unlimited amount of game tickets will be available at the stadium for $10 each. Gates will open at 5 p.m.
- Local news
-
-
SWGAU opens new office
Southwest Georgia United, in conjunction with the Crisp/Dooly Joint Development Authority officially opened the doors for their new facility Wednesday.
-
Contractor waiting on DOT approval
With the final week of summer winding down, construction on I-75 through Crisp County is “complete for the most part,” says Archer Western Project Manager Brian Woods.
-
Renewal tag fees added or increased
Not too many years ago, nearly all Georgia vehicles had one license plate which was easily recognizable from a distance. Now, there are over 100 valid special license plates in the state, and many Georgia automobile owners have purchased one or more of these special tags.
-
Pet contest winner named
When the Cordele Dispatch’s pet pageant ended at noon Tuesday, “Bug” Owens, a Beagle belonging to Faye and Charles Owens of Cordele was the winner.
-
LOCAL DEATH: Johnnie Mae Reese
BUTLER — Johnnie Mae Reese of Butler passed away Friday, July 27, 2010 in a Macon County hospital. -
Contractor waiting on DOT approval
CORDELE — With the final week of summer winding down, construction on I-75 through Crisp County is “complete for the most part,” says Archer Western Project Manager Brian Woods.
-
Vienna businesses cited for underage sales
Complaints that a local business was selling alcohol to minors prompted police here to take action.
-
Accused dog murderer arrested
Police here have made an arrest in a late August burglary during which a family’s beloved pet dog was brutally murdered.
-
J.S. Pate students study vipers
J.S. Pate students in Mrs. Beth Rucker's homeroom made vipers after reading the story, "A Walk In the Desert."
-
LOCAL DEATH: Eddie C. Clayton
VIENNA — Eddie C. Clayton of Vienna died Wednesday, September 1, 2010 at his residence. - More Local news Headlines
-
