Fairhaven is buzzing with Blue Devil pride as FHS readies for Super Bowl. Read more here.
FAIRHAVEN — If you've worn any Fairhaven High School athletics gear while out about town lately, there's a chance it's struck up a conversation or two, as excitement builds for the Blue Devils' first trip to a Super Bowl in over two decades.
Jen Moura, co-president of FHS football's Gridiron Club and mother of player Zach Moura, said it's something that's been happening to her since before a Super Bowl trip was imminent.
"As the mom of a player, I've been proudly wearing Blue Devils swag and pretty much everywhere I go someone will mention being excited about the possibilities of where the team will go next," Moura said. "I was actually in Marshall's today and the cashier was all pumped up."
"No doubt there's a buzz," said Fairhaven School Committee Chair Colin Veitch.
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Between FHS staff and students, alumni, and the younger siblings of players, Veitch said Blue Devil spirit has taken on a nice "past, present and future" theme.
"The world is a difficult place and it's nice to have this sense of unity, purpose and pride in the town," Veitch said. "Plus, as bad as the Patriots have been playing, it'd be nice to have a winning team up at Gillette."
Fairhaven High to dismiss early for fans to travel to Super Bowl game
With the game's 3 p.m. kickoff time, and the roughly 50-minute ride supporters will have to make to Foxborough, Fairhaven High will accommodate supporters by dismissing school at 1:07 p.m. on Thursday, according to an informational flyer. The elementary and middle schools will let out at the normal dismissal time, but students won't be penalized for being dismissed early.
According to Co-Athletic Director John Ricciardi, a special send-off was in the works as of Monday, with plans to have the team bus go by the elementary, middle and high schools as students and staff stand outside to cheer them on.
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"We are waiting on clearance from Acushnet Public Schools to go drive by theirs as well due to many of our student-athletes attending those schools," Ricciardi said.
About 35% of the team this year went through Acushnet schools before attending Fairhaven High.
Ricciardi said the bus ride would commence at noon Thursday, and details around a route through town would be forthcoming.
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It's a community thing
FHS' early dismissal on Thursday won't only help out students who want to attend the Super Bowl, but school staff as well.
When asked if she expected a big staff turnout, Moura said, "It definitely sounds like it."
"I've seen teachers bantering back and forth on Facebook about how excited they are to go support the team," Moura said. "As we moved through the playoffs, we started noticing more staff and students attending each game."
Select Board Chair Leon Correy said he planned to take a half-day off from work to show his support on Thursday.
"People I've seen have certainly been excited about it," Correy said. "I think it's something even casual fans of Fairhaven football are talking about."
"It's been pretty fun driving down Route 6 and seeing small businesses ... with signs cheering the team on," Ricciardi said. "There's definitely been a strong sense of community spirit."
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When asked what he thought of Fairhaven's odds of winning, Veitch — who also said he plans to attend the game — showed no lack of confidence.
"Of course, we're gonna win," he said.
"I had someone tell me this is the best football team the school has had in 20 years," said Minh Tieu, owner of Traveler's Alehouse in Fairhaven, which hosted a spaghetti dinner for the Blue Devils' earlier this month. As part of the Fairhaven community, Tieu said Traveler's Alehouse has been happy to aid Fairhaven schools whenever possible. "I always do what I can do to show support."
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Moura said the outpouring of Blue Devils pride around town reflects how much pride her son and his teammates have shown this season in performing at their best.
"I think what's important about this team is how deep we run," Moura said. "We have some great talent that you hear about all the time, but this is a team where every single soul has a huge impact.
"Like the saying goes, we're a small town with a big heart and we've really seen that this season with this team."
Tickets, kickoff time, bag rules: What to know before going to the Gillette Stadium for high school football
Tickets will not be sold at Gillette Stadium on Thursday. Rather, they must be purchased via Ticketmaster in advance to be presented at the gates via mobile device. Visit ticketmaster.com and search "MIAA High School Football Tickets."
Kickoff on Thursday is set for 3 p.m. According to Moura, attendees will be allowed to enter Gillette Stadium, 1 Patriot Place, Foxborough, one hour prior.
Only clear plastic bags will be permitted into the stadium, according to a flyer. For details on what is considered a compliant bag, visit www.gillettestadium.com/bagpolicy.
This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Fairhaven High, residents ready to support school football team
