Montclair High School to Host First NIGHT Football Game

For years having a night game at MHS has been a topic of discussion, often shut down by resident concerns. This year however this year the MHS Athletics Department seems to have won out in the debate.

Tonight, Thursday October 2, at 7:00 p.m. the Montclair Mounties football team, with a record of 1-1, will face off against the Nutley Raiders who are 3-0.

The 2nd Annual SunSmart Bowl is sponsored by the Live SunSmart Foundation, formerly the Ray Festa Melanoma Foundation, and the Mike Geltrude Foundation.

The game will include a ceremonial coin-toss to be held at 6:45 p.m. and the winning team will be awarded the SunSmart trophy upon the conclusion of the game.

Montclair High School was awarded the trophy at last year’s SunSmart Bowl.

Those who live on the streets surrounding Woodman Field received a letter letting them know about the game, stating that the event would be wrapped around 10 p.m.

Despite this information, local Montclair residents have raised concerns about the traffic and noise that will be brought on by the game.

In an e-mail to the Montclair Patch, one Columbus Ave. resident said, “It is just wrong that Montclair is doing this with no warning to residents.”

In the past, the biggest complaint surrounding night games was the issue of lights on the field. This year, there is no difference.

In a Letter to the Editor submitted to Baristanet, one resident says, “We are asking you to consider protecting our neighborhood and homes from shining lights, marching bands and loudspeakers while we put our children to sleep.”

What do you think? Is it time that MHS had a night football game? Or are the concerns of residents more important? Let us know in the comments!