Century vs. Legacy to be nationally televised
BISMARCK, N.D. (BVM) — In a year when most high school teams are just happy to be having a season, Bismarck Century and Bismarck Legacy get an added bonus.聽
On Aug. 29, the Patriots and Sabers will open their seasons on national television as part of the Geico ESPN High School Football Kickoff on ESPNU.
For those involved it鈥檚 a once in a lifetime event to have their high school football game nationally televised.聽
鈥淭his is going to be my 37th year and if someone would have told me a long time ago that at some point in time your team might be on national television I would have said, 鈥業 don鈥檛 think so,鈥欌�澛� said Bismarck Century coach Ron Wingenbach.
Century athletic director Ben Lervick broke the news by confirming it with Forum Communications Company on Aug. 19, but it had been in the works for almost a month.
The possibility of a nationally televised game started about four weeks ago. 鈥淚nitially when they contacted us it was like, 鈥榊ou鈥檙e kind of in tier two,鈥� it鈥檚 like you鈥檙e a fall back in case something happens,鈥� Wingenbach said. 鈥淭hen the last couple of weeks we just kept climbing up the ladder. I think it was about a week and a half ago our AD notified me that we had a 90% chance we might be a nationally televised game. The second or third day of practice we verified we are going to be the game. Twitter was kind on fire.鈥�
North Dakotans from across the country voiced their support and plans to watch the game. They won鈥檛 be the only ones watching though as the whole country will get a glimpse into North Dakota high school football.聽
鈥淚 think it’s nice that the upper Midwest gets showcased a little bit,鈥� Wingenbach said. 鈥淭he fact that both teams respect each other and we play hard-nosed football then we get up and shake hands. I think that says a lot about the way football is played in North Dakota.鈥�
The Patriots are coming off an undefeated season and a state championship. The Sabers are coming off a 5-4 season where they just missed the playoffs. Both will be looking to start the season on a high note and the added publicity of the game only adds to that.聽
鈥淚t鈥檚 a big inner city rivalry,鈥� Wingenbach said. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e kind of the new kids on the block. I think their school is I believe now in their six or seventh year of existence. They鈥檝e come a long way in a short amount of time. Our kids know them and they know us.鈥�
Legacy is on the rise and a team to look out for as it continues to build the program. Century is a powerhouse. Since 2011, the Patriots have made it to six NDHSAA AAA state championships, winning three of those games.
The Patriots also have the player to watch in Andrew Leingang, a three-star Class of 2021 offensive line recruit. He is the top-ranked high school football player in the state of North Dakota and committed to Kansas State over the weekend.
https://twitter.com/AndrewLeingang/status/1297630720748396546
For Leingang and every other player in this game, it鈥檚 a special opportunity to show a national audience how good they are. It also helps to make everything they have been through over the last few months worth it.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a catch-22,鈥� Wingenbach said. 鈥淵ou hope you鈥檙e prepared physically and mentally. The pandemic threw a lot of wrenches in the game plan so to speak, but to be rewarded with a nationally televised game softens the blow a little bit.鈥�
In a year that has been dictated by the COVID-19 pandemic, getting ready for a football season has been difficult. The added regulations and procedures set up to ensure safety for everyone has taken time to get used to. Teams are playing catch-up trying to get ready, but as much as they try to focus on the season, there is a constant feeling of uncertainty.
鈥淥ur goal this year has to be able to practice the next day,鈥� Wingenbach said.
Legacy and Century know the season could end at any minute, but for right now they can look forward to the chance of a lifetime. Playing on national television for the whole country to see.聽
Even so, they also know that once kickoff happens, it鈥檚 just another game.
鈥淏ottom line is it鈥檚 still a game and we鈥檝e got to play it between the sidelines,鈥� Wingenbach said.
