12-4-13 —     The Wayne County Cardinals are going to the "Big Dance" in Bowling 

Green this weekend, as they play for a state championship in Class 3A.

    The 14-0 Cards defeated Paducah Tilghman 34-10 on Friday night in 

the state semifinals to earn a berth in the championship game, which 

is set for Friday, December 6 at 4 p.m. ET at Houchens/LT Smith 

Stadium on the campus of Western Kentucky University.

    "I can't say enough about what this means to our kids, our school 

and the community. Just looking around the field and seeing all the 

former players and long-time fans after the game, no question of just 

how big this win was for our team," said Wayne County Coach Shawn 

Thompson after Friday night's win in the state semifinals. "I am so 

thankful to be part of it, and these kids are just so deserving of it."

    Wayne County Schools have dismissed classes on Friday to allow fans

to travel to the state championship game.

    Tickets are available in advance at the high school at a cost of $9



for general admission. They may also be purchased at the stadium on 

game day.

    There is no assigned seating, and plenty of seating is available for

the game.

    Next up for Wayne County is a game with state powerhouse Belfry, who

is making their fourth straight championship game appearance and the 

ninth in school history.

    "This is a big week for our football program, but we have to embrace

the moment and not get caught up in all the hoopla," said Thompson. 

"Belfry is the biggest challenge we've faced all season, and we're 

playing for the right to be a state champion, so this should be an 

exciting week for everyone involved."

    The annual Monticello-Wayne County Chamber of Commerce Christmas 

Parade, which was originally set for Friday night, has been postponed 

until Saturday.

    Also, the Wayne County-Whitley County boys basketball game has been

postponed until Saturday, so that fans can head to Bowling Green on 

Friday.

    For more information on Friday night's win over Paducah Tilghman and

a look at the upcoming game against Belfry, see stories included in 

this edition of The Outlook.