Four High Schools to Open Lucas Oil Stadium
INDIANAPOLIS – Peyton Manning can't help feeling a bit of envy.
Manning, the Colts' eight-time Pro Bowl quarterback, announced the matchups for PeyBack Classic IX on Wednesday afternoon. As he did, he said there was one thing bothering him about the two high school football games that will bear his name.
They'll be played on August 22, making them the first football games played in Lucas Oil Stadium.
Manning may throw many, many touchdown passes in the new stadium.
But he said he likely won't throw the first.
"I'm a little jealous, I have to admit," Manning said with a smile Wednesday. "Somebody in this room is going to throw a touchdown pass in the stadium before I get to.
"But it really is going to be neat to the first football game in the new stadium."
Noblesville and Fishers will play the opening game of Peyback Classic IX on Friday, August 22, at 6:05 p.m., with New Palestine and Whiteland playing in the second game 30 minutes following the conclusion of the first.
"I know how excited I am to play in this new arena, so I know these high school players will be as well," Manning said.
Manning launched the PeyBack Classic in 2000, enabling Indianapolis Public Schools a chance to play a regular-season game in the RCA Dome. Since 2004, non-IPS schools have been invited, with Terre Haute South, North Central, Lawrence North, Warren Central, Carmel, Roncalli, Cathedral, Chatard, Zionsville, Hamilton Southeastern, Tipton, Sheridan, Lafayette Jefferson and Avon high schools participating.
This is the first year Noblesville, Fishers, New Palestine and Whiteland have participated.
"It's hard to believe it's been nine years," Manning said. "What's great about this year is we have four new teams participating this year. They all represent communities that are huge supers of their respective football communities."
The PeyBack Classic is presented each year by Manning's charitable organization, the PeyBack Foundation.
"We hope to create life-lasting memories for these players," Manning said.
Advance tickets will be sold at each school for $10 beginning at the start of the 2007-2008 school year, and a portion of the proceeds from advanced ticket sales will benefit each school, Manning said.
Each game will be broadcast on MyINDY-TV Channel 23.
