FORTVILLE — Amy Shipley woke up at 4:30 a.m. last Friday, ready for football.
“I just couldn’t go back to sleep,” she said. “I was so excited for these kids.”
Shipley, who runs the Mt. Vernon High School football team’s parents group — the Touchdown Club — went on to watch her son, senior Shaun Shipley, and his fellow Marauders win the program’s first sectional championship since 2012.
She’s was expecting a similarly early and excited start to her day today as the team prepares for its home regional playoff game against Roncalli High School tonight.
Marauder parents will serve up supper from McCordsville-based Kinsey’s Italian Cafe to the team today, just as they have on Fridays throughout the season. For the tournament, parents have also been putting together meals for the team on Thursdays.
Family and fans will be tailgating in the parking lot before the game as well.
Some of the parents decorated the team’s locker room with signs and streamers.
“I don’t know if the boys really like it, but the moms sure do,” Shipley said.
She anticipates the game’s attendance will be strong.
“The kids are super excited,” she said. “I think we’ll have a great crowd. Since Roncalli’s so close, I anticipate they’ll also have a great crowd. I think it’s going to be a superb atmosphere.”
Brandon Ecker, Mt. Vernon High School athletic director, agreed.
“I would expect a pretty solid turnout,” he said. “…It depends on how much people want to be a part of the action. I think it’s going to be a great match-up.”
The stands flanking Mt. Vernon’s football field hold about 5,000.
“I’d love to see a great student section — add to the atmosphere,” Ecker said.
The National Weather Service predicts Friday night’s low temperature will be in the lower 20s.
“I hope the fans embrace the cold, because it’s not going to be a warm one,” Ecker said.
Roncalli High School, located on the south side of Indianapolis, hasn’t played at Mt. Vernon in 20 years. For a game like Friday night’s, the school’s primary focus is making sure everything is in place for the fans and those coming out for the first time and that both teams have everything they need, Ecker said.
The school received about 1,500 pre-sale tickets from the Indiana High School Athletic Association, which are $8 apiece and are available 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the high school’s athletic office.
Ecker encourages football fans to get pre-sale tickets if they can. He expects a lot of attendees to stay close to their vehicles as close to kickoff as possible to keep warm. Those who already have their tickets will be able to get to the grandstand more quickly, he said.
David Lauck, athletic director at Roncalli High School, expects Rebels fans to come out strong.
“We travel pretty well,” Lauck said. “And we haven’t played in a regional championship for two to three years, so I think that there’s just excitement, especially among the student body and the parents and even some regional fans.”
