WEST TOLEDO, OH (WTOL) – Pre-celebrations and ticket sales are already underway at Whitmer High School as the football team prepares for the playoffs this weekend. They will take on Wadsworth Saturday in Sandusky at 7 p.m.
"I need six today," said Sue Norton, a Whitmer fan.
Norton is ready to cheer on her grandson, Storm, and the rest of the panthers as they take on the Wadsworth Grizzlies.
"Very very excited. Why? We're going to win. There's no doubt about it. We're going to win," said Norton.
Grandson Storm Norton, Whitmer's offensive tackle, said, "She's a very aesthetic lady to begin [with], but everyone is proud of us to make it this far again."
Last year Whitmer made it to the final four. Getting a 12-0 record was not easy for them.
"Definitely takes hard work and dedication," said Norton.
Whitmer's defensive end, Chris Wormley, added, "The offseason, working out in the summer and conditioning, you know, staying focused in the classroom, and staying as a team and a big family."
A little red ball has become sort of a good luck token that Nick Longenbarger, Whitmer's tight end, keeps on him during every game.
"We just stumbled across it. One day we were walking by and seen the red ball and said, you know, it would be fun to take it every Friday. So we started taking it and it's become the season 'thing'. It's obviously working. It's working now," explained Longenbarger.
They might need it come Saturday.
"It's going to be a tough game. They got a great tailback. His last name is Snowball. Big kid, and he runs forceful and they kind of just run right at you. So it's going to be a challenge for our defense," said Whitmer Athletic Director Tom Snook.
Tickets are on sale at the Whitmer Field House Lobby Thursday from 7 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.; Friday from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; and Saturday from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. Tickets are $7 in advance or $9 at the gate.
