Palmetto Health-USC Medical Group Orthopedics Bringing High School Football to Spirit Communications Park
COLUMBIA, SC - The pigskin and pads are coming to Spirit Communications Park this fall. The Fireflies are excited to host the first local high school football games at Ballpark Digest's 2016 Ballpark of the Year. Three games are scheduled to be played this fall as part of the Palmetto Health-USC Medical Group Orthopedics Pigskin in the Park Series are:
Friday, September 9: Ridge View vs. Fairfield Central
Friday, October 7: A.C. Flora vs. Chapin
Thursday, October 20: Gray Collegiate Academy vs. Eau Claire
"We are excited to partner with Spirit Communications Park to provide student athletes the opportunity to play the first football games in this great venue," said S. Wendell Holmes Jr., MD, Palmetto Health-USC Medical Group Orthopedics. "We hope this will be a unique experience that our athletes will never forget."
With Columbia's inaugural season coming to a close on Labor Day, the Fireflies grounds crew will begin to transition the field from baseball to football. The field dimensions of Spirit Communications Park allow for the football field to run parallel to the first base line, offering thousands of seats along the west sideline and in both end zones.
"We designed Spirit Communications Park as a multi-sport venue, and we're excited to showcase high school football in 2016," said Fireflies Team President John Katz. "The Fireflies are thrilled to have the opportunity to provide these student-athletes with a first-class game day experience as they take the field this fall."
Ridge View represents Class 4A and looks to climb over the .500 mark this year after a 5-6 2015 campaign. Head coach Perry Park enters his second season leading the Blazers and University of South Carolina commit Damani Staley powers the Blazers' defense. The outside linebacker is the No. 17 rated player in the Class of 2017 from South Carolina in 247 Sports' rankings and the son of Gamecocks great Duce Staley, who played 10 seasons in the NFL and is currently the running backs coach for the Philadelphia Eagles. Fairfield Central is the lone participant in Class 3A. Sixth-year head coach Demetrius Davis and the Griffins have made the state semifinals the last four seasons.
"This is a great chance to be the first high school football game played at Spirit Communications Park," said Ridge View High School Head Football Coach Perry Parks. "I think it's a great environment for the kids and a game they will always remember for the rest of their lives."
The A.C. Flora Falcons and fourth-year head coach Reggie Shaw entertain Midlands rival Chapin High School. The Eagles finished 11-2 in 2015 and are led by seventh-year head man Justin Gentry. A.C. Flora has a defensive leader in senior strong safety Lane Botkin. Botkin has received offers from schools including The Citadel, Georgia Southern and Georgia State. The Falcons' defense must contain tight end Will Register, a University of South Carolina commit who, according to 247 Sports, is the No. 7 recruit in the Palmetto State.
"A. C. Flora is very excited to take part in one of the first ever football games played at Spirit Communications Park," said A.C. Flora Athletics Director Edward Moore. "The Columbia Fireflies have already proven to be a valuable community partner and we look forward to extending this relationship with our October 7th varsity football game vs. Chapin. We look forward to seeing not only our Falcon football team, but also our cheerleaders, band, JROTC, and the rest of the Falcon Nation on display at the ballpark."
Gray Collegiate Academy enters its third year as a football program and is eligible for the 2016 Class 2A postseason. Head coach Adam Holmes has built the program quickly, leading the War Eagles to a 5-5 record in 2015. Quarterback Bryce Fields and a plethora of wide receivers make Gray Collegiate Academy's offense one of the most explosive in its class. Eau Claire's first-year head man Jermaine Derricott, a former standout safety at South Carolina State, takes over a Shamrocks unit that finished 3-7 last year.
"We are excited to be playing one of our home football games at Spirit Communications Park," said Grey Collegiate Academy Head Coach/Athletic Director Adam Holmes. "This is going to be a great experience for our players, students, and parents. It is an unbelievable venue and we couldn't be happier. We want to thank those involved that help make this possible."
The Fireflies have a limited number of available dates for Midlands high schools to relocate 2016 games to Spirit Communications Park. Interested Athletic Directors may contact Jaime Tamsin at 803-726-4487, or via email at [email protected].
"This is an amazing opportunity to bring our community together in this beautiful, new venue and watch our student-athletes compete," added Ridge View High School Principal Dr. Brenda Mack-Foxworth.
Tickets for the high school football games will be $7 - with almost all of the ticket revenue going back to the host school - and will be available on game days at Spirit Communications Park.
"Through our partnership with Palmetto Health-USC Medical Group Orthopedics, the Fireflies have made Spirit Communications Park available to these schools rent-free," added Katz. "In addition, the Fireflies will be covering most of the normal operating costs for the schools, including the cost of officials, the majority of security costs and half of the cost to clean the stadium after each game."
For group outings and luxury suite rentals, please contact the Fireflies at 803-726-4487.