MASON CITY – The Mohawk football team will have a grand send-off Friday evening as the varsity players and coaches make the short journey west to take on their rivals, the Clear Lake Lions.
Mohawk boosters confirmed Wednesday evening that the varsity bus will have a police and fire truck escort from Mason City High School to the edge of Mason City.
“Enthusiasm is contagious and we hope everyone is excited for the 1st football game of the season against a local rival!” a booster wrote in an email to high school parents.
According to information released, parents are welcome to caravan behind the bus and the escorts if they would like. The bus leaves the high school at 6:00 pm. Parents and Mohawk supporters should wear red MOJO t-shirt if they have one.
The Mohawk football team is attempting to rebuild under Coach Justin Penner.
The team had a scrimmage against West Waterloo last week. “The scrimmage was a great thing for our program,” Coach Penner said. “We will grow so much because of that experience.”
As for the game Friday night in Clear Lake, Coach Penner said “I hope to see a sea of red on Friday night at the game as we beat Clear Lake. Encourage all that you know to arrive as early as possible to the game.”
See photos from last year’s game, won by Clear Lake at Mohawk Field, 34-7.
This is wrong and I’ll tell you why. If the team wins a championship it may be OK but to do it as a matter of tradition sends the wrong message. That football players are more special then every other athlete or student and this is all because Bookmeyer is a huge Nebraska fan.
It’s discrimination without a championship. You can’t use special services for certain groups just because you’re a fan. This sends the wrong message to students who must know that they are all as valuable and everyone else.
I would say that MCHS needs this kind of treatment from our City Hall. Right or wrong, football is a source of community pride in cities and towns across the nation. Starting with our football team and then extending this treatment to other sports/teams/activities who excel is the right thing to do. A parade or escort might not be the exact way to celebrate or send-off the MCHS chorus or band, for example, but something special could/should be done for the youth who participate in special activities at certain times. I am all for showing attention to the young people who are trying hard to represent Mason City in a positive way. Ignoring their efforts is dramatically wrong.
John, you say Clear Lake is risking injury playing 4A schools? Clear Lake is bigger, faster than Mason City. I dont think the risk to Clear Lake is any greater than the risk Mason City is taking? Yes, its a contact sport, like wrestling.
Mason City has won the wrestling meet 3 years in a row now, but they LOST the 17 straight years before that.
A good 3A school can easily compete with a 4A school that struggles. There is ZERO pressure on Clear Lake
Lets here predictions? I say Clear Lake 21-10
usually you get a police and fire escort after a big victory, i think this is just in case things dont go well. Kinda get the police and fire thing out of the way. And yes, 1-8 made the 4A playoffs last year.
Anyone know the path out of town? They taking 12th, 4th, or 19th?
Pretty sad police need to protect them from being robbed or stabbed until they are safely out of Mason City.
Support the kids! People always want to dog on the negative things about teenagers. These athletes and fans are not doing a thing wrong and it is positive for them. Come on out and enjoy a great game!
Mason city coach seems pretty cocky after saying “as we beat clear lake”.
Mohawks suck. Go lions!!!!
I wonder how much the two mayors bet on this game. Is that legal?
The mayor is not the police chiefs boss Peter…you are nuts and won’t win city council.
It is the kick of to a new season and a season for a change in the football program. I am all for the send off, but to celebrate a win against a 3A team should not be seen as a huge win for Mason City, they need to focus on their season of tough competition in 4A. I am actually surprised that Clear Lake would agree to this in a football game with injuries possible, baseball and basketball fine, but I don’t think there should be a football game every year.
Why WOULDN’T Clear Lake agree to it? They just beat MC AGAIN last night…to the tune of 41-20. MC was completely dominated by their 3A neighbors to the west in the 2nd half.
About 10 years ago, the MCHS Choir did get a police escort back into town after winning a national competition.
That is ridiculous for a choir!! LOL!!!! Only in Mason City!!!
Hopefully both teams will have another playoff run like last year
What are you talking about? Clear Lake is the only one that had a legit playoff run last year. I wish Mason City well this season, as a 4A School, they should beat Clear Lake every year. The population of Mason City is close to 4 times that of Clear Lake.
Good to see a friendly rivalry. Anybody know how the CL-Newman scrimage went last week?
Now this is a great idea!! It is uplifting for the kids. It shows them that the adults in the community value them and their activities. For the time it takes to do this– probably about an hour of time– so what. If the firefighers are not fighting a fire and one policeman can support the community in this way– what a wonderful situation.
I have no kids in either district– but I am all for supporting kids in academics, the arts and in sports… their activities in general.. I just bought 2 candy bars for Garner-Hayfield band, from a co-workers child and I don’t live in that community. I bought 2 $20 band booster cards and a $20 Mohawk football card…. It’s just another way to support the programs using non-tax dollars..
Have a phenomenal school year everybody!!!
A small price to pay, rather an investment in a positive memory of a supportive community, school pride, sportsmanship and pursuit of The American Dream.
Good for them!! Hopefully, there is a good turnout on their way out of town for people showing support!! Go Mohawks!
And my tax dollars are paying for this? We have way too many government employees if this is what they are used for.
@sad-the employees are there anyway. So other than a little fuel to get there it isn’t going to cost very much. If we can spend all that money on ugly statues we can spend a little to support the kids.
Seriously?