Bobcat mania has been sweeping around town in advance of the Marshalltown High School football team's Class 4A state title game tonight.
Thousands of fans will make the trip to the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls to cheer on the Bobcats as they take on Iowa City High at 7:05 p.m. for the championship. Signs can be spotted all around town in support of the team.
"Everybody is really excited," said Tim Bell, athletics director at the high school. "Everybody has a sense of pride. The community support has been unbelievable."
Bell said his office has sold about 5,000 tickets to the game. Tickets will also be available at the UNI-Dome prior to the game and several student and fan buses will be a part of the trip to Cedar Falls.
MHS Principal Bonnie Lowry said the excitement level is high and staff and students are all in a good mood. She said both the students and teachers are finding a balance of academics while also allowing for anticipation of the big game, but admits sometimes they can get unfocused.
"We are still teaching every day but we've definitely made some allowances for the excitement," Lowry said.
Miller Middle School teacher Marilyn Dysart wrote a poem about the team titled "The Night Before State," written in the style of "The Night Before Christmas."
She taught language arts to many of the current football players when they attended Miller and is proud of their success. Dysart originally sent the poem to Lowry and one of her friends, but it quickly made its way around town through e-mails.
"I'm glad people can enjoy it," Dysart said. "I think the players, coaches and cheerleaders are such a nice group of people who have put so much effort into what they are doing."
Students in the district will dismiss one hour early Friday in order to allow time to get to the game, as if it were the regular Wednesday schedule. Fans are encouraged to wear blue to the dome to show support for the team.
There will be a postgame celebration at the MHS Roundhouse following the game late tonight. Bell said it will include a recognition of the team and brief comments from school officials.
It is unclear the exact time the celebration will occur since it depends on when the team returns to Marshalltown, but it is expected start anywhere from 11 p.m. to midnight.
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Contact Andrew Potter at 641-753-6611 or apotter@timesrepublican.com
