They will not have pads on nor will they play on grass this fall, but members of the Gibraltar football team will at least have some Friday night lights to enjoy.
Both schools will be featured in the National Youth Football Organization Friday Night Showcase held at Capital Credit Union Park in Ashwaubenon beginning this Friday. The two schools are the only two eight-man football programs in the 11-team field and likely among the smallest of schools. The passing league was co-created by former Sturgeon Bay football standout Chris Griesen as a way to highlight local players who will not be playing this fall due to concerns around the coronavirus. The league is not sanctioned by the WIAA or its member schools but will feature WIAA referees who are not working other games around the state. Games will take place at 6, 7, and 8 p.m. on two different fields inside the ballpark. Fans are allowed for $7 (adults) and $4 (students and kids).
Below are the partial regular season schedules. A tournament will follow.
GIBRALTAR
9/11 vs Green Bay West 8 p.m.
9/18 vs Sturgeon Bay 6 p.m.
9/25 vs Lomira 7 p.m.
10/2 vs Edgerton
10/9 vs Ashwaubenon 7 p.m.
10/16 vs Bay Port 7 p.m., Sturgeon Bay 8 p.m.
10/23 vs De Pere 7 p.m.
STURGEON BAY
9/11 vs Green Bay West 7 p.m.
9/18 vs Gibraltar 6 p.m.
9/25 vs Oshkosh North 6 p.m.
10/2 vs Bay Port 8 p.m.
10/9 vs De Pere 6 p.m.
10/16 vs Gibraltar 8 p.m.
10/23 vs Edgerton 7 p.m., Lomira 8 p.m.