Catoctin Stadium is not going to fit everyone

[TDHelmick]

I know this was a discussion on another thread but it really needs one all to its own.

Folks, the Catoctin Stadium seating is tiny and extremely limited. There is only seating on one side of the field and even that is a tiny three part section. I have included a Google Earth photo below to give everyone an idea. The FH band will take up almost half of their capacity. You can see the tiny array of bleachers on one side:

I have no idea what they plan on doing. I don't see them adding temporary seating because the MPSSAA has to pay for all of this...the MPSSAA gets all the gate money. I don't know if they will allow chairs on the track or around the back of the end zones, but they better come up with something. This is a huge game and it is going to be overcrowded times 5.

I would highly, HIGHLY recommend that any FH people traveling to the game next week, get there literally 3-4 hours before kickoff and get in line if you want a seat. If the Catoctin fans show up and realize there is nowhere to sit I don't know what they will do. MPSSAA rules prevent them from doing a presale of tickets. It will be first come/first serve. I would also bring folding chairs just in case. Going to be an interesting development.

 

[bigdawgrefwmd]

it's really a shame that the MPSSAA allows these Schools to host games. WVSSAC Doesn't allow this to happen ever as they are the ones losing money by playing at small bad facilities.
I can only imagine that there will be fights over who is sitting where

 

[Waggle Pass]

Is there ANY chance they could move the game to a larger field like they did when FH played Potomac a few years ago and they played at Flowers field?

 

[TDHelmick]

For sure man. I bet Catoctin puts as many people in the stands as the traveling red horde. Both sides have been eyeballing this game the entire season. And there is no television broadcast. Wait until the 3 Cumberland radio stations request access. Oh man!

TIME TO GET IT ON!!!
But good luck getting a place to sit. As I said, going to be interesting. I will predict between the two schools there will be 4000 people in addition to both bands. I will estimate the stadium seats 1000 people tops.

 

[TDHelmick]

And please someone correct me if I am wrong...could this be the biggest game ever played at this stadium?

Has there ever been a defending state champion coming here for a playoff game, yet alone the semifinal for a trip to the title match?

 

[Commercial Video]

And there is no television broadcast. Wait until the 3 Cumberland radio stations request access. Oh man!

So there is no misunderstanding, Commercial Video will be at Catoctin and also requesting access for our TV broadcast and stream like usual although if the game is played Friday night, it will be delayed until the next day due to facility limitations and logistics.

 

[TDHelmick]

So there is no misunderstanding, Commercial Video will be there and also requesting access. There will be a TV broadcast and stream like usual although it will be delayed until the next day due to logistics.

Wow, that is so awesome. Poor Catoctin athletic director. Also as I recall, last year Catoctin did a live stream of the game at Greenway with their own announcers or was it on delay? It was a fairly poor stream, but they had a stream, I watched it a few days after the game was over.

We may be looking at 4 radio station requests (3 from Cumberland) and two television requests.

 

[Commercial Video]

From their Facebook:

 

[TDHelmick]

From their Facebook:

Oh cool. That looks like a pretty good sized hill that can hold people.

 

[otnorot]

Has there ever been a defending state champion coming here for a playoff game, yet alone the semifinal for a trip to the title match?

Dunbar in 2009:
https://www.espn.com/highschool/rise/football/news/story?id=4694930

 

[CumberlandHSFB]

Dunbar in 2009:
https://www.espn.com/highschool/rise/football/news/story?id=4694930

Dunbar has never really traveled well

 

[Redwhite90]

Yeah.. I was going to add as I made the trip twice this year. Seating is only one side. Visitors are expected to sit in a very small set of bleachers that are almost at field level and to the right of the “grand” stand. There is a hill right down from the entrance that could offer lawn seating . Also people could be allowed to sit around the track and view if they allowed it due to such a large crowd. I would suggest everyone to bring their lawn chairs just in case. At least throw them in the car and bring em. Also, anyone who needs handicapped parking has to drive to the right behind the school and they allow parking back there but it is VERY limited. Also, the hill to the stands is not terribly long but pretty steep. Down going in but a haul coming out after game.
Still.. when the playoffs started, was hoping these two would match up as they offered the two best teams from the west. Only hoped it would be in the championship game.
Oh.. and a super small / slow snack bar. Better load up before the game!

 

[otnorot]

Dunbar has never really traveled well

Yeah. I was just responding to the part about whether they had hosted a defending state champ in a state semi before.