For a normal home football game, Porter’s Chapel Academy athletic director Wade Patrick estimates, the school draws around 800 fans.

This week is anything but normal.

PCA will host crosstown rival St. Aloysius for the first time ever this Friday at 7 p.m. Both schools are expected to bring at least their normal crowds — St. Al gets around 1,000 per game on average — as well as a few extras since it’s the only high school game in Warren County this week.

To deal with the overflow, Patrick said PCA is installing temporary bleachers and clearing extra parking spaces.

“We’re treating it like a big homecoming game, as far as the crowd,” Patrick said.

Porter’s Chapel has a limited number of parking spaces available in its main lot. A new parking area is being cleared along the right side of the access road to the school to create more spaces.

An overflow lot will be available a few hundred yards up Porters Chapel Road at Trinity Baptist Church. Patrick said golf carts will run between the church and the field as a shuttle service and encouraged fans to arrive early.

PCA’s Eagles Field, meanwhile, has plenty of space but limited bleacher seating. Patrick said the school is renting portable bleachers from the Vicksburg YMCA that will be placed in the west end zone that opens onto the adjacent baseball field.

For those who can’t find a seat, Patrick encouraged them to bring their own.

“We have open end zones, and a lot of people sit there while the younger kids play on the baseball field. Just bring a lawn chair so you’re comfortable,” Patrick said. “We’re going to do everything we can to accommodate the crowd.”

Those who can’t make it to the game in person also have options. It will be broadcast on the radio on both 101.3 and 104.5 FM — the former being St. Aloysius’ announcers and the latter PCA’s.

The Vicksburg Post will also post live scoring updates to its Twitter feed at twitter.com/vixpostsports and its Facebook page at facebook.com/thevicksburgpost.

FRIDAY’S AREA GAMES
All games start at 7 p.m.
St. Al at Porter’s Chapel (Radio: 101.3 FM/104.5 FM)
Vicksburg at Columbus (Radio: 1490 AM/107.7 FM)
Tallulah Academy at Prentiss Christian
Sharkey-Issaquena at Humphreys Academy
Briarfield at Rebul Academy
Hillcrest Christian at Central Hinds
Port Gibson at Yazoo City
Delhi at Madison Parish

ONLINE
For live scoring updates on Friday night, follow us at twitter.com/vixpostsports and facebook.com/thevicksburgpost