The Hoosick Falls Panthers are one of 20 teams from across New York State invited to play in the annual Kick-Off Classic at the Syracuse Carrier Dome the weekend of September 5-7. The Panthers will open their season against the Owego Indians, a Class B school, in a game at 1 pm on Sunday, September 7.
[private]The Kick-Off Classic is a Section III sponsored event that raises money for the Central New York Chapter of the National Football Foundation Scholarship. This year, for the first time, Section III is opening the competition to other divisions in the State.
Hoosick Falls has twice competed at the Carrier Dome in State Championship games in 2003 and again in 2012 when the Panthers won the State title after defeating Hornell, 34-21. Although this isn’t the first time the team has played at the Dome, Hoosick Falls Coach Ron Jones said competing at the venerable college stadium is still exciting.
“We are looking forward to returning to the Carrier Dome for a third time,” said Coach Jones. “The opportunity to play in that facility is just amazing; running out of the tunnel and onto the field is an experience that never grows old.”
Hoosick Falls has 300 general admission tickets that will be on sale beginning Tuesday, May 27, in the high school office. Tickets cost $7 each. The School District will offer a spectator bus for students and staff who purchase tickets to the September 7 game. Tickets also will be available for purchase at the Carrier Dome on game day for $8, $2 for pre-school children. Stadium parking will be available at a fee of $10 per vehicle for fans who drive to the game. The Dome is handicapped accessible at Gate A.
Twenty high school football teams from around the State – including two other Section II teams, Fonda and Amsterdam – will compete in ten games during the weekend long contest. The Hoosick Falls Cheerleaders and the Pep Band will be in Syracuse to support the Panthers during the game.
Local businesses are invited to show their support for the Panthers by placing ads in the Kick-Off Classic program. Half-page ads may be purchased for $50, and full-page ads cost $100. For more information, email Coach Ron Jones at jonesr@hoosickfallscsd.org or contact Athletic Coordinator Tom Husser via email at hussert@hoosickfallscsd.org or call Hoosick Falls High School at 518-686-7321, ext. 1500.[/private]