Fans can tune into football championship games

By By Will Bardwell / staff writer
Dec. 5, 2003
If you can't drive to Jackson for the high school football championship games this weekend, tune in instead.
All five state finals will be televised on Mississippi Public Broadcasting this weekend, beginning with the 2A championship between Booneville and Seminary at 2:30 p.m. today. While the Class 5A championship has been televised locally in Jackson in past years, this is the first time all five football championships have been televised statewide.
The deal was initially set for just one year, but it has since been extended to include the 2004 basketball and football championships.
Marcus Boyles agrees. The head coach of Wayne County, which faces off against Oxford for the 4A title on Saturday, said it will be the first time he has ever coached a game on television.
Proctor said the two-day broadcast should only enhance the festive atmosphere at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
Proctor said the biggest concern that had been voiced was that television would hurt ticket sales. That theory, Proctor said, was disproved when the televised basketball tournament had to turn away almost 2,000 people at the door.