MANSFIELD — Mansfield City Schools will be closed Friday to allow students and faculty to attend the state championship high school football game at 3 p.m. in Canton, according to superintendent Stan Jefferson.
The Tygers (13-1) beat Aurora 27-21 in double overtime last week to win the state semifinals. Senior High is pitted against Trotwood-Madison (11-3) for the Division III state championship at 3 p.m. Friday at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton.
“We are embarking on something truly historic,” Jefferson said. “We are going to have a district-wide day off that Friday.”
Jefferson, himself a former football coach of the Tygers, said administrators are working on transportation to help students reach the game, but plans won’t be figured out until Wednesday afternoon.
Jefferson added there is a plan developing for a celebration of the Tygers historical season on Monday, Dec. 9.
“It’s very historic,” the superintendent said. “We want to celebrate with the community.”
All seven state title games will be played at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, which seats 23,000.
Click here for Mansfield Senior tickets and use the coupon code OHSAA5 for $11 tickets.
The Tyger Football team confirmed after practice Monday evening it will be leaving Thursday to head to Canton and stay on site the night before the game.
A county-wide, community pep rally is planned Wednesday at 7 p.m. for the Mansfield Senior Tygers and Lucas Cubs football teams. It’s the first time any school in Richland County has earned a spot in state championship football games.
The rally will be on the square in downtown Mansfield and will feature players, coaches, cheerleaders and bands from both schools, which play this weekend in state football title games.
There will be parking lots adjacent to Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium (set GPS to 1750 Clarendon Avenue NW, Canton, OH 44708).
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