Lincoln-Sudbury game draws plenty of fans

September 19, 2008 07:38 PM Email| Comments (0)| Text size – +

By John Guilfoil, Globe Correspondent

SUDBURY -- Hundreds of fans showed up tonight for the Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School football game against Hingham, despite restrictions school officials imposed due to widespread student drinking at the last game.

Midway through the first quarter, the bleachers in the rear of the school were mostly full and people were still filing in.

Students were required to bring a parent or guardian if they wanted to attend the game after the drinking last week sent two students to the hospital and left seven suspended.

Officials put the best face on the new policy, posting a sign in front of the school that proclaimed it “Family Night.” John M. Ritchie, the school principal and district superintendent, said the crowd was larger than usual.

Students said they were determined to prove to their families, the school, and the media that they can have a good time and cheer on their team without drinking.

“It’s going to be a great night,” said Jason Shuman, 17, a senior at the school. “We’re here with our families, to spend some quality time with them. And it’s going to be a lot of fun.”

His father, Stephen, was there as his required chaperone, as well as his kid sister, Jenna, who is in third grade.

“It’s a good chance to spend some time with our family. It’s too bad it had to be this way,” Stephen Shuman said.