Monroe Catholic and Seward had the 2021 high school football stage to themselves Thursday night. The two had the honor of playing America’s first high school football game of this season at Kiwanis Field in Fairbanks, Alaska.
The kickoff of the season began with a touchdown when Monroe Catholic’s Carter Barney brought the opening kickoff 85-yards to paydirt, which started the Rams 38-8 victory.
“As soon as the first kid bounced off me, I saw an opening and I knew I was gone. I was trying not to celebrate the first play, but it felt good. It just shows that I started where I left off and hope to keep it going.”
Carter Barney, via WebcenterFairbanks.com
Opening kickoff from the first high school football game in America this fall
— Jordan Rodenberger (@RodoSports) August 13, 2021
Seward Seahawks vs. Monroe Catholic Rams
85-yard TD Return for Carter Barney
Fairbanks, Alaska? pic.twitter.com/Xk7seuZOWA
The season was originally scheduled to open in Hawaii last weekend, but Monroe Catholic and Seward got the honor after officials moved the opening of the Hawaiian high school football season to September 24 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
