By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
The win streak is up to six games. The Great Bend High School football team will likely play its final home football game of the season tonight to open the Class 5A playoffs against Goddard-Eisenhower. Booster Club Vice President Jennifer Gregg encourages all to come out and support the Panthers on a big night.
"I think the team definitely feels the support of the community when they attend in person," she said. "It's a fun atmosphere with the tailgate meal, a nice community event before the game. I think athletes are excited to play in front of a packed set of stands, for sure. The football team has had a lot of momentum, so it would be nice to see the support from the community."
Because it is a playoff game, the Kansas State High School Activities Association will not allow passes at the gate. The Booster Club will pay admission for the first 100 Great Bend High School students.
"They do need to have their student ID that shows they attend Great Bend High School, and they do need to enter through the south gates closest to the PAC," Gregg said. "That is where they will be tracking that first 100 guests."
The Booster Club Tailgate will run from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. in the northwest corner of Memorial Stadium. For $5, supporters get a choice of chili or chicken noodle soup, a cookie, and a bottle of water. Funds go back into the athletic programs at GBHS, and the Booster Club just donated $31,000 to be distributed to the teams.
Also for Friday's game is a raffle for a signed GBHS football helmet. Tickets will be sold at the tailgate and are $5 for one or five for $20. The winner will be announced after halftime, and proceeds go toward the Panther Pantry.
"The Panther Pantry is a service the high school provides to kids who don't have food at home," Gregg said. "They send them home with backpacks of things to eat over the weekend so kids don't go hungry when school is not in session. With the holidays coming up - Thanksgiving break, Christmas break - those are times that are in great need for some of these kiddos to make sure they have enough. We wanted to do a fundraiser to sponsor that and make sure they're well-stocked for the holidays."
Kickoff for the big game is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday. With a win against Eisenhower, the Panthers would either travel to Salina Central or host Andover in week two of the playoffs.