The Jamestown Chiefs, Jamestown's semi-professional football team, will host the Monroe County Sting in their home opener today at Strider Field, with the kickoff scheduled for 2 p.m.
It's the first-ever home game for the Chiefs, who are playing in their inaugural season.
The Sting, however, have been a perennial powerhouse in the Northeastern Football Alliance and sit at 3-1 on the season. Head coach Brendan Carter knows what his 1-3 Chiefs need to do to pull off a spirited upset in their first home game of the season.
''We just need to play our brand of football,'' Carter said. ''We need to eliminate our mistakes and play Jamestown Chiefs, ball control; smash you in the mouth football.''
With punishing tailback James Dickey in the backfield, expect the Chiefs to run the ball early and run the ball often. Playmakers in the passing game will look to be a factor as well. Quarterback Shawn Fink has 438 yards and three touchdowns through four games this season.
Fink's top target, Henry Leeper, has hauled in 12 passes for 166 yards and two touchdowns.
As for this week in practice leading up to the big day, the Chiefs have been working on execution, limiting their mistakes and working together as a team.
''We're working through our mistakes,'' Carter said. ''The guys are picking each other up and helping each other out.''
Jamestown has been playing together as a team all season long. Playing at Strider Field and in front of the home town fans should only help strengthen the unity of the Chiefs.