Further review: Catholic-Eastern at the Vault
In case you haven't heard yet, news broke yesterday that Sovereign Bank Stadium will host a football game next Saturday, Oct. 23 between Eastern York and York Catholic.
And to this news I can't help but feel a bit, well, underwhelmed.
It's not so much a referendum of these two teams. York Catholic brings back nearly every player from last year's 7-5 squad, and could be a contender for the District 3, Class A title. Eastern York (which will sacrifice its home game to play at Sovereign Bank) had its best season in some time last year, going 5-5.
But as far as the matchup goes, there just isn't a lot there. These two teams aren't rivals, and I have a hard time believing this game will attract many fans other than those of the two teams. After all, isn't that what this is for? Shouldn't this be a showcase for York County football?
I understand there are constraints the organizers of this game had to deal with. Obviously they couldn't pick a game too early on the schedule because of the baseball season. And the reality is it wouldn't make sense for schools like Central York, West York or William Penn -- teams with significant followings -- to move a home game to the Vault, thereby sacrificing the gate and concession money they could make at one of their home games.
The matchup that would make the most sense to me? York Catholic vs. York Suburban. Two rivals. Two teams with a close proximity to the city. And, since they played at Suburban last year, this year's game should be at York Catholic -- which, it has to be said, has one of the smaller, less atmospheric stadiums in the area. A game at Sovereign Bank would generate interest for an Irish program that appears to be on the rise. What's more, Suburban coach Bill Kerr told me a month or so ago the Trojans close the regular season against Catholic, meaning the timing of the game would make sense.
All that aside, I'm happy for the players of Eastern and York Catholic. Playing a game at Sovereign Bank will no doubt be something they remember for a long time.
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