Ever since construction of the new Statesboro High School began in 2007, parking for Friday night football games at Womack Field has been less than convenient. For the 2009 season that opens Friday, however, it’s safe to say fans will find parking a lot easier than the past two seasons.
       “We now have more than 600 parking spaces at the stadium,” said Statesboro High principal Marty Waters. “We really appreciate the patience shown by our football fans the past two years. There is plenty of parking and no one should have to walk very far.”
      Statesboro opens the 2009 football campaign Friday against Josey at Womack Field. The Blue Devils were one of the final eight teams in the 2008 Class AAAA state playoffs, but lost to Rome in the quarterfinal game. It was the tenth consecutive year the football team qualified for the state playoffs, and while the 2009 squad is young, adding to state titles won in 2001 and 2005 is the goal.
      “Young, old, or in between, our expectations are to play for a championship,” said head coach Steve Pennington in the Statesboro Herald’s season preview. “That will always be our goal. Now we just have to go out and work for it.”
      Statesboro plays six home games during the regular season beginning with Josey on Friday and concluding with South Effingham on Oct. 23. Also, the Groves game originally scheduled to be played in Savannah on Sept. 5, will now be played in Statesboro on Friday, Sept. 4.
      All home games start at 7:30 p.m., with the gates to the stadium opening at 6 p.m. General admission season tickets are $30 per person, which includes admission to all six home games.
      Season tickets for a reserved chairback seat are $80 apiece, which includes admission to a pregame social and full meal in the school lunchroom. The social runs from 6-7:30 p.m.
      Reserved railback season tickets are $60 apiece and include the pregame social.
      Individual game tickets are $7 for adults and children.
      As mentioned, parking is available on either side of the stadium. There are 350 spaces on the Lester Road side and 300 on the Fleming Drive side. Also, Booster parking pass holders will park in a special lot in front of the ticket booths on the south side of the stadium. Booster parkers should enter from the Lester Road side and look for red balloons.
      The Booster Club has various levels of support and corresponding benefits. Call the school at 489-8751, if you are interested in learning more about the Booster Club.
      “We want to make the game experience a great one for all our fans,” Waters said. “Come out Friday night. It’s going to be a great season.”