Upperman And York Institute Each One Win Away From State Title Game

York Institute and Upperman High School will both play in state football semifinal matchups Friday.

York will host East Robertson for a crack at the 2-A state title.  York Institute principal Abbi Dunford said the team has the school staff, student body, and the entire Jamestown community behind them.

“These boys and the coaches have worked so hard,” Dunford said. “But the more and more they win, it’s like we can all just taste it because we know how good they are and what they can do and we’re just so excited up here.”

Dunford said the students take ownership of motivating and supporting the undefeated Dragons. The whole community has shown continued support and plans to pack the stadium on Friday, she said.

Upperman High School will visit Greenville for a 4-A championship berth.

Dunford said she loves the team’s chances after seeing the work they did to prepare over the summer and in the early mornings before school.

“This is a big community where our alumni continues to support the school that they all graduated from,” Dunford said. “It is very packed. It’s hard to find a seat on Friday nights or a parking space up here. The community, former alumni, our student body, our pep club, our cheerleaders, just everybody is behind these boys.”

Dunford said local restaurants have donated food throughout the season for the team. Community sponsors also supplied the team with a charter bus to take to the stadium this Friday. The local support doesn’t stop with the football team, Dunford said. Jamestown residents are passionate supporters of all things York Institute, even the Quiz Bowl team.