HUTCHINSON, Kan. – Fans who want to wish the Hutchinson High School football team well at state will have two opportunities before Saturday’s game.

First-year Salthawk football head coach Ryan Cornelsen’s 8-4 Salthawks will play Shawnee Mission East, 12-0, at 1 p.m. Saturday in Emporia State University’s Welch Stadium.

There will be a community pep rally at 7 p.m. Friday in the Salthawk Activity Center. The pep rally will include cheerleaders, introductions of the team and coaches, and a highlight video. Additionally, the Hutch High Sports Booster Club will sell Salthawk spirit wear and accessories during the pep rally Friday evening.

In keeping with tradition, the football team will leave from Hutch High, and fans are asked to gather at 7:30 a.m. Saturday along 17th, between Lorraine Street and Sirloin Stockade, for the official send-off.

Hutchinson will be the “home” team on Saturday, sitting on the west (press box) side of Welch Stadium. Ticket prices are $8 for adults and $6 for students. Gates to Welch Stadium open at 11 a.m.

Locally, the game will be broadcast on Country 102.9, KHUT-FM, Hutch’s radio home during the regular season and playoffs.

This is the 10th time in 12 years the Hutchinson High School Salthawks will play football the Saturday after Thanksgiving with a state football championship on the line.

This is a season of quick change at HHS. Following the conclusion of fall sports on Saturday with the football championship game, winter sports begin Tuesday. The HHS boys’ swimming team competes at Newton at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2.

The formal kickoff for winter sports will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2, in the Salthawk Activity Center. Known as the Night of the Hawk, the winter sports teams will be introduced.

During Night of the Hawk, the Sports Booster Club will sell spirit wear and accessories as well. Night of the Hawk sales will be holiday-seasoned, priced at 20 percent off.