There's a first time for everything, and Jamestown area football fans kept filing into Strider Field to witness the first-ever home game for the Jamestown Chiefs of the Northeastern Football Alliance.
Some were in attendance perhaps out of curiosity while others to support family and friends, but whatever the motivation, Sunday was a good sign of things to come for the first-year semi-professional franchise in Jamestown.
''I've been to every one of their away games and there are more fans here than at all of their away games combined,'' Leslie DiNapoli, wife of Chiefs lineman and special teams coordinator Sebastian DiNapoli said.
The number of paid attendees hovered slightly over 500. On Sunday, the game was about much more than the number of people in attendance and the score on the scoreboard. It was about building a community event around an on-the-field football product.
Against a two-time, repeating national champion, the Chiefs weren't expected to get a win, but head coach Brendan Carter knew his team would play inspired football in their home opener.
At halftime, the game was scoreless. The Chiefs defense, led by Chad Slade, Ryan McIntyre and Josh Benson, was forcing turnovers, making plays and giving the team a chance to pull off a remarkable upset.
''We're definitely for real,'' Carter said. ''The personnel is there, the scheme is there and our coaching is there. We need to learn to play as a team with what we have.''
Costly turnovers in the second half plagued the Chiefs' offense. A 95-yard punt return gave the Sting a 6-0 lead that inflated quickly to 20-0.
Still, the Chiefs were not going to get shut out on their home turf. Carter has a special offensive package in place with Jamestown native Henry Leeper under center. Leeper drove the Chiefs down the field in under three minutes, highlighted by a 35-yard completion to Gary Kum, and scored a touchdown on a quarterback draw.
More impressively, Leeper found the end zone after exploding through a defensive back caught in his path.
''I didn't want to run to the corner, so I decided to just go through him,'' Leeper said of the exciting hit.
It was the first-ever touchdown scored at Strider Field for the Jamestown Chiefs of the NFA.
''It felt good to put some points on the board, but it would have felt better if we had won,'' Leeper said after the game. ''We just have to work on a few things and we'll be all right.''
As for the fans in attendance, Leeper wasn't surprised of the turnout necessarily, but he certainly was impressed.
''I was at a wedding last night and everyone kept telling me they were coming,'' Leeper said. ''There were 500 people here. That's crazy.''
Despite the positive turnout, the Chiefs' sponsors and all of the volunteer participation to help make the event possible, Carter and the Chiefs administration believe this is only the beginning.
''I guess we had 500 people here which is pretty good,'' Carter said. ''But I think Jamestown has more football fans who would like our brand. We played well today, but made too many mistakes.''
James Dickey dominated in the running game during the first half. Brian Hardy proved he can be a playmaker in the passing game after hauling in a 23-yard reception on a tipped ball down the sidelines and Leeper is a triple-threat who seems to be able to get first downs in his sleep.
Those three highly-touted players are only several of the key pieces to this team's success now and in the future.
''The number of fans we had here today and the support we had with all of the preparation getting ready for this event indicates this franchise will have success,'' Carter said.
Even general manager Joe Scapelitte was impressed by the play of his team.
''We're proud of our team and have nothing but good things to say,'' he said. ''Over 500 people came through the gate and without concessions, cheerleaders, coaches and our sponsors, this wouldn't be possible. It's a community effort.''
The 1-4 Chiefs will be on the road next week in Watertown before coming home for a three-game stretch at Strider Field.
