Top Stories

Info FHS fans need to attend or watch the state championship tilt

  The Frankenmuth varsity football team is returning to Detroit’s Ford Field for the third time since 2020, and are preparing to take on a team they have never faced on the gridiron in Pontiac Notre Dame Prep.

  Game time is 4pm on Saturday, November 30, and based on years passed, much of Frankenmuth will make the trip south to the contest.

  To provide for convenience and safety of spectators attending the MHSAA 11-player football finals, attendees are being advised of a variety of items related to transportation and security – including policies regarding parking, seating, and types of bags allowed in the stadium.

  Parking will be available in Ford Field facilities and lot to the east and north of the stadium at a cost for $8 per vehicle. A map identifying the designated Ford Field lots (4,5, and 6) and parking deck can be found on the football page under "2024 Road to the Finals". There are also several privately-operated parking facilities close to Ford Field, however, the pricing will vary.

  Fans are also advised that the consumption of alcohol is prohibited in Ford Field parking facilities and lots, and smoking – including electronic cigarettes and vaporizers – prohibited inside the stadium. Tailgating, including the setting up and use of grilling equipment, also is not allowed.

  Tickets are priced at $20 each ($18.50 plus fees) and allow a fan to see all four games in a single day. Tickets are available for purchase at the door (cash or credit accepted), or online from Ford Field via Ticketmaster – links to order tickets both days are also on the MHSAA website football page. Spectators leaving the stadium will be required to purchase another ticket for re-entry. Children ages 2 and younger will be admitted without charge for this event.

  Frankenmuth is the home team. FHS fans will want to enter at Gates A or G. The FHS Band will be seated in Section 110, with the Student Section in 109, and they are marked. The recommended FHS Fan Section in the areas of Section 104-108.

  Please be courteous of spectators from the prior game: FHS fans may be asked to wait in the concourse or end zone areas until the seats have been cleared from the previous game.

  Saturday’s state final line are teams from D-1, 3, 5, and 7. ‘Muth’s neighbors to the east, and former Tri-Valley Conference member Millington (12-0), will kick off the day at 9:30am against 13-0 Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central for the D-7 tilt. At 12:30pm, 12-1 Zeeland West will square off against 10-3 Detroit Martin Luther King for the D-3 crown, followed by the Eagles and Fighting Irish at 4pm for the D-5 Big Mitt. The final game of the night in D-1 will see 12-1 Hudsonville pitted against 11-2 Detroit Cass Tech.

  All Ford Field concessions are CASHLESS, with only credit/debit cards accepted.

  There will be event security in effect. All attendees are subject to search, metal detectors, and confiscation of prohibited items. Please review the Permissible and Prohibited Items List as well as Bag Police at the MHSAA football page website.

  “Specifically, we want FHS fans to be aware that noisemakers, items on sticks (including signs or poms on sticks), and banners/flags are not permitted. Signs can be held by fans, but not hung at the stadium. The complete list of prohibited items can be found on the Detroit Lions website.

  There will be spectator busses, however, this is not organized by the Frankenmuth School District. A Spirit Sendoff to the players, coaches, and cheerleaders will depart the FHS east parking lot at 11:30am Saturday. An expected Frankenmuth Police and Fire department escort will lead them west on East Genesee Street, then south on South Main Street as fans are invited to line the sidewalks and cheer on the Eagles.

  For those who cannot make the trip to the state finals, there are two viewing options. Watch live on FanDuel Sports Network Extra or by subscription through NFHS network. To listen live, tune in via computer on the Frankenmuth Sports Network.

  To read this story and other featured articles in this week's Frankenmuth News, click on the "Subscribe" tab at the left or call (989-652-3246) to begin receiving your weekly copy of the Frankenmuth News.