Gillette ready for a super day

FOXBOROUGH - Super Bowl-bound players and coaches got a peek of what's to come in tomorrow's big games when the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association hosted its Eastern Massachusetts Super Bowl meeting and breakfast yesterday at Gillette Stadium.

This is the second consecutive year that Gillette will host EMass Super Bowls.

Twelve of the Super Bowl teams attended. Division 3A finalists Amesbury and Martha's Vineyard will participate in a similar event at Bentley University today. Former Patriots stars Andre Tippett and Steve Grogan, and Patriots chairman and CEO Bob Kraft gave brief addresses to the teams, and MIAA representatives outlined what the teams and their fans can expect.

Many players expressed awe at the prospect of playing on the same field as the Patriots, including Tri-County senior quarterback Lucas Mistler, whose team is going to the Super Bowl for the first time in the school's history.

"I have never been a part of anything like this," said Mistler. "This is one of the greatest feelings that I've ever experienced. This is definitely one of the greatest things I've ever been a part of."

The Tri-County vs. Manchester Essex game kicks off the day at 9 a.m. tomorrow.

The weather should be better than last year when the windchill index was in the single digits. Temperatures are expected to be in the high 30s tomorrow.

Ticket prices are $13 for adults and $10 for children, students, and seniors. The ticket is for all six games at Gillette but reentry will not be allowed.

Tickets will be available beginning at 8 a.m. tomorrow at the Patriot Place gate only.

Fans coming from the south will be directed to lots P7 and P8, while those arriving from the north will go to P1. Parking is free. No tailgating will be allowed in the parking lots and no alcohol will be sold, but other concession stands will be open.