It's PeyBack Time!

When Peyton Manning began the PeyBack Classic nearly a decade ago, it's highly doubtful that the Indianapolis Colts Super Bowl XLI MVP would think the event would open up the Colts new Lucas Oil Stadium before he did. But that's exactly what will happen. "I'm a little jealous, I have to admit," Manning said of the announcement. "Somebody in this room is going to throw a touchdown pass in the stadium before I get to." The somebody's Manning referred to where the players in attendance from the four Central Indiana school participating in PeyBack Classic IX, set for Friday, August 22. Fishers will meet fellow Hoosier Crossroads Conference (and Hamilton County) rival Noblesville in the first game to ever be played in the new stadium. Kickoff is set for 6:05 p.m. New Palestine will face Whiteland in the second game, 30 minutes after the conclusion of Fishers-Noblesville. The games precede the Colts first home game, a preseason contest on Sunday, Aug. 24 against the Buffalo Bills. With the deadline to open just two months away, construction is about 90 percent complete. Some 1,200 workers are working day and night to complete the Colts' new stadium, which will host Super Bowl XLVI in February 2012. The PeyBack Classic, ran by Manning's charitable organization, the PeyBack Foundation, began in 2000 as a chance for IPS schools to play regular season games in the RCA Dome. Since 2004, non-IPS schools have been chosen (Avon, Carmel, Cathedral, Chatard, Hamilton Southeastern, Lafayette Jeff, Lawrence North, North Central, Sheridan, Terre Haute South and Warren Central). For Fishers, New Palestine, Noblesville and Whiteland, this will be a once in a lifetime opportunity. Fishers is coming off a 6-4 campaign in 2007, but in just the schools third season, the Tigers have improved quickly under head coach Rick Wimmer. Noblesville, 5-6 in 2007, finished strong last season with two late wins before falling to eventual Class 5A state champion Carmel in sectionals. New Palestine (5-5 in '07) battled Whiteland in the first game of last season as well. Whiteland won 35-7 and 7-5 before falling to Cathedral in the Sectional 14 championship. VYPE High School Sports Magazine will be on hand for the event. More details to come. Tickets will be sold at each school for $10 at the beginning of the 2008-09 school year in August - a portion of the proceeds from advanced ticket sales will be donated to the participating schools.