Fitch prepares for 10,000 fired-up fans tonight

By JON MOFFETT

Vindicator Staff Writer

AUSTINTOWN — A capacity crowd is expected to pour into Fitch Falcon Stadium tonight for the playoff game between Cardinal Mooney and Poland Seminary High School.

The township site was chosen by the Ohio High School Athletic Association for the regional final between the schools. But Austintown Athletic Director Rob Conklin isn’t worried about the stadium’s ability to house the masses.

“The OHSAA obviously has faith in us,” he said. “We host a lot of events over there, and we have a great staff to help out.”

Conklin said he wouldn’t be surprised if a crowd of about 10,000 shows up for the game, which is the first-ever football contest between the two schools. He said weather will play a major role in ticket sales, however, and noted that neither school has sold out of its allotted pre-game tickets.

Even if the crowd surges to 10,000, Conklin is not worried.

“Any time you get a large number of people into an enclosed space, you have to be prepared for any issues,” he said. “We have put a great deal of time and effort into the planning and expect it go off as best we can.”

Conklin said there are designated areas of parking and entrances for each school and hopes congestion will be minimal.

“I’m looking forward to it,” he said. “I’m confident we’ll be in great shape.”

jmoffett@vindy.com

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