Clyde football celebration to draw big crowd

CLYDE — Clyde High School athletic director Ryan Greenslade expects a sizable crowd to fill the school auditorium at 7 p.m. Wednesday night for the Fliers' state football championship celebration.Greenslade estimates that the auditorium can hold about 800 people, but given the volume of calls he's received about the event, he expects to stretch the auditorium's capacity."I'm thinking it might be standing-room only," Greenslade said. "I've got people coming that I didn't expect to be coming."Greenslade knew Flier parents and school officials would show interest in the ceremony, but he was surprised by the volume of Clyde residents without direct ties to this year's football program who have shown interest.He attributes this additional interest to the Fliers' likability."These kids connected with any and everybody," Greenslade said. "They were good, wholesome kids, and people liked them."Thursday's ceremony is expected to last about one hour and will begin with an opening statement from Clyde principal Joe Webb (Webb's son, Hank, started at center for the Fliers) and a highlight video from the 2019 season (between 15 and 18 minutes long).From there, Green Springs Mayor (and former Fliers fullback and linebacker) Adam Greenslade and Clyde Mayor Scott Black will congratulate the Fliers, as will commissioners from Seneca County and Sandusky County.After that, Clyde coach Ryan Carter and his captains will speak before Ryan Greenslade gives his closing remarks.Greenslade didn't want to give too much of his speech away, but he said it will focus on the legacy the 2019 football Fliers leave behind."They made their mark on Clyde history," Greenslade said. "That's leaving a legacy."Division IV state championship game between Clyde and Licking Valley at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019.