LEWISTOWN — Tish Maclay described the opening of Donald M. Chapman III Stadium at Mifflin County High School on Friday night as a dream come true.

Typically, the football season would have kicked off at venerable Mitchell Field for the Mifflin County High School athletic director and other athletic department officials. This year, with the completion of the $18.5 million Husky Multi-Sports Complex, a whole new era in Mifflin County athletics was born.

“To see so much community and student pride throughout the evening was amazing,” Maclay explained.

“Chapman Stadium provides a place for people to come together in a positive manner and enjoy all the great energy Mifflin County has to offer,” Maclay added.

School officials said there were long lines at the gates when they opened at 5 p.m., two hours prior to kickoff.

“That’s what really stood out to me, and also that long lines at the two concession stands and the milkshake stand,” Mifflin County School District Superintendent of Schools Vance Varner said.

“The benches in the plaza area were completely full with people, relaxing, socializing, watching the game, talking to people going to and from the concession stands,” Varner added. “It was definitely a community-minded event.”

Which is what the pitch for the new complex has been all along. And, of course, there was a football game as the Huskies opened their 2025 season in dominant fashion beating Central Mountain 42-0.

Mifflin County quarterback Chase Hartung scored the first-ever touchdown at the new Kish Bank Field with a one-yard plunge at the 9:58 mark of the second quarter.

“It was pretty special to be out there on that field,” said Hartung, a senior on the football team. “And see how that many people were there to support us.”

Players and coaches alike were appreciative of the large crowd that filled the Huskies’ new den and the atmosphere for the inaugural game at the 4,300-seat stadium. School officials estimate there were around 5,000 people at the game.

“The environment was really cool,” said Huskies head coach Shane Breon of the new facility. Breon’s father, Willie, coached at Indian Valley and the family spent many Friday nights under the lights at Mitchell Field.

“The home bleachers were filled, and the other side was packed as Central Mountain brought a lot of fans,” Breon said. “It was neat with the Husky Walk to the stadium, and having the student section and the band and cheerleaders on the field forming a tunnel. The home fans were right there, too.

“It was a great environment, with the new stadium with the mountains in the background,” Breon added.

Winning proved to be the icing on the cake.

“I’m definitely glad to get a win in the first game,” Breon said. “It was an awesome night.”

Players, like Husky senior Nevin Farley, who plays both tight end and safety, could feel the buzz created by the new stadium. He was thankful to finally play on the Kish Bank Field turf after years on the soggy turf at Mitchell Field.

He hopes fans will come back each and every week to fill the stands and support Mifflin County football.

“It was just amazing,” Farley said. “It brought a new energy to the team. We hope to put a good product on the field, and have success going forward.

“I’ve been anticipating it being open,” Farley added. “I’ve been watching it come together.”

He said having so many people come out bonded the school and community. It was a surreal experience playing in front of so many people.

“Even at away stadiums, I haven’t seen it that full,” Farley explained. “The community came together on Friday and helped generate a lot of excitement for the program.”

Varner said school officials welcomed the start of the football season and school year with immense pride and excitement. This year marks a truly special milestone as they debut the Husky Multi-Sports Complex, which is what he called “a testament to the vision, dedication and teamwork of our entire community. It reflects the spirit and strength of our school district.”

He added thanks to the tireless efforts of the district’s board of directors, administration, faculty, staff and incredible generosity of so many community members and businesses, this year’s football season will be one for the history books.

“These new facilities will benefit not only our football program, but all of our outdoor sports programs as well as the (marching) band,” Varner added. “We look forward to hosting a variety of exciting events, including band competitions, district and state playoffs, invitationals and other major tournaments. The opportunities these facilities bring are truly limitless.”

With the opener out of the way, the Huskies can get back to work for its next game on Friday and athletic department officials can prepare to host Northern York at Kish Bank Field at Donald M. Chapman Stadium III in week two.

It’s definitely reassuring to have that opener under their belts. There will only ever be one-first game at the new facility.

“Everything went really well and everyone who helped to make the night a reality is to be commended,” Maclay said.