Two football-loving communities — Mansfield and Lucas — are planning to share the love on Friday and Saturday.
Both communities — including players, coaches and fans — are expected to take part in each other’s send-off celebrations as the Tygers and Cubs prepare to play in state semifinal football games.
It begins on Friday when Mansfield Senior (12-1) leaves Arlin Field at 3 p.m., headed to Macedonia Nordonia’s Boliantz Stadium to take on Aurora (13-0) in a Division III state semifinal game at 7 p.m.
Members of the Lucas team, coaches and Cubs fans are expected to join in the fun as the Mansfield police and fire departments escort the Tygers out of town.
The escort will leave Arlin Field at approximately 3 p.m. and travel east on West Fourth Street to North. Diamond Street. The escort will continue northbound on North Diamond St. and then East onto Longview Avenue, and merge onto U.S. 30 eastbound.
On Saturday, the Tygers players, coaches and fans will return the favor, joining with Lucas faithful, as the Cubs (11-2) leave for Columbus St. Francis DeSales Alumni Stadium to take on Canal Winchester Harvest Preparatory (12-1) in a Division VII state semifinal at 7 p.m.
The Cubs will leave Lucas High School around 3:45, headed westbound to get onto Interstate 71, headed south.
Fans from both schools are asked to line Main Street and show their support as the Cubs begin their journey to Columbus.
