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Stadium to host playoff game in only second year with turf

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November 11, 2009

by Ken Lahmers

Editor

Aurora -- When artificial turf was installed on the field at Veterans Stadium, one of the future goals was to offer the stadium to the Ohio High School Athletic Association as a site for football playoff games.

Well, the first such contest will be played there Nov. 14, when Chagrin Falls (11-0) takes on Cortland Lakeview (8-3) in a Division IV regional semifinal matchup.

It will be the second time this year the Tigers have played at Veterans Stadium. During the regular season, they beat the Greenmen 23-3 in a Chagrin Valley Conference Chagrin Division game.

Local Athletic Director Paul Powers will serve as manager, a post he handled for 10 years when he was AD at Bedford.

"It's really exciting for Aurora to host a game in the second year of having turf," he said. "We could've had a game last year, but it was just too tough mustering up enough volunteer help."

Powers explains a district must apply to the Ohio High School Athletic Association to host games, and geography plays a major role in whether a district gets a game.

He added the district has applied to host games in Weeks 3 and 4 of the playoffs. "It depends on what teams get matched up whether we'll get a second or third game," he said.

Powers credited the Greenman Pride group for heading up the effort to raise funds for installation of artificial turf, and thus giving Veterans Stadium the opportunity to host playoff games.

"We are one of 48 sites chosen to host a game," he noted. "We wouldn't be doing this without the Greenman Pride's hard work. It's good PR for the district."

Powers explained some workers at the game, such as ticket takers and scoreboard operators, will be paid by the OHSAA, while volunteers from the All-Sports Boosters will man the concession stands.

"It's a opportunity for the boosters to make some extra money," he added.

The district itself will not be paid because Powers said it is donating the use of the facilities.

Powers said the OHSAA has determined Veterans Stadium is adequate to host Division IV, V or VI games, and he believes there will be no problem accommodating fans from the two schools.

E-mail: klahmers@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3155




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