On Saturday, July 23, junior football history will be made at Masich Place Stadium.
On that day, the Kamloops Broncos will square off against the Chilliwack Huskers for a B.C. Junior Football Conference preseason game.
The game will mark the first time Prince George has hosted a junior football game.
If the game is a success with the fans, it could provide incentive for a local group to bring a BCJFC franchise to the city. The strength of the Prince George Minor Football Association and the growth of the six-team Northern League high school football league over the past decade has elevated the calibre of players the area is producing. There are now at least 20 players from Prince George, Quesnel and Vanderhoof now playing in the BCJFC, including several players currently on the Huskers and Broncos rosters.
And when they step on the field Saturday, it might stir up those high school rivalries.
The Huskers have five former Kelly Road Roadrunners -- Daniel Weisgerber, Tom Bray, Brennan Adrian, Nick Wingfield and Taylor Cherkas -- as well as Ryan Gallo (D.P. Todd Trojans) and Andy Bolen (Prince George Polars).
The Broncos will be bringing four PGSS graduates -- Wes Black, Brad Paakkonen, Derek Apps and Mike McMaster, and local products Darcy McDonald (D. P. Todd), Sheldon Brown (Nechako Valley Vikings - Vanderhoof), and Travis Kent (Correlieu Clan, Quesnel).
"It would be huge if we could get a lot of people out to support these hometown kids," said PGMFA president Ryan Bellamy.
"There should be lots of old fans and family out cheering. It should be a really exciting event."
Tickets are $10 each and are now on sale in Prince George at A&W restaurants, Rona Building Centre, and Kenroc Building Materials. They will also be available at the Masich Stadium gate. Game time is 4 p.m., and the gates will open at 3.
