HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREGAME SHOW COMING TO RATCLIFFE FIELD IN SOUTH HAVEN ON OCTOBER 4

Friday Football Tailgate Spotlights Competitive Match-ups and Prime Sponsorship Opportunities

South Haven, Mich. -- Friday Football Tailgate, the electrifying pre-game show dedicated to high school football rivalries and big matchups, is set to continue its first season this fall in southwest Michigan with a special homecoming event in South Haven.

The upcoming show will be live and on-site at South Haven High School on Friday, October 4th, to prepare for the evening’s matchup between the South Haven Rams and the Watervliet Panthers. This homecoming edition promises viewers an experience that highlights the essence of Friday night lights while channeling the energetic spirit reminiscent of College Gameday.

The tailgate will open at 4:00 P.M., with food, games, and fun. The show will broadcast live on YouTube and Facebook from 5 P.M. to 6 P.M. and will air simultaneously on News Talk Sports 94.9 WSJM.

Produced by Little Red Fern Productions and TPC Technologies, Friday Football Tailgate is a one-hour pre-game show that captures the heart and soul of high school football rivalries, bringing together coaches, athletes, and alumni for a dynamic celebration before kickoff.

With a spirited production team and a College Gameday-inspired vibe, the show combines exclusive interviews, insightful analysis, untold stories, and a lively pre-game atmosphere to deliver an unforgettable experience.

Ryan Cheevers, Producer of Friday Football Tailgate, shares his excitement: "Friday Football Tailgate brings the authenticity and grassroots spirit of high school football to the forefront. We’re celebrating the communities, the rivalries, and the stories that make high school football so special, and we’re excited to bring this experience to South Haven for their homecoming game."

The show’s host is Kacy Standohar, a dynamic sports broadcaster and sideline reporter based in Chicago, IL. She has appeared on FS1, ESPN+, Marquee Sports Network, and WCIU, covering a range of sports from BIG EAST college athletics to IHSA football and basketball.

Lead Pregame Analyst is Brent Lesniak, a top 50 high school football player in Michigan and an 11-time All-State track star. He holds many rushing records for Dowagiac High School, where he played in 1996 and 1997. He won a football National Championship at Grand Valley State under Coach Brian Kelly and became an Arena League All-Pro.

Ken Dietz is the show’s Pregame Analyst. Dietz has 38 years of experience as an Athletic Director, teacher, and coach. He coached in several area schools and served as Watervliet’s Athletic Director for 18 years. A Stephenson High alum, Ken founded a successful basketball camp, played college basketball at Olivet, and earned a Master’s from Western Michigan.

Kate Gassman, Director of the show, says: “We honor the pageantry and nostalgia, bring both rival communities together before the game, and share meaningful (and entertaining) stories about the people in those communities. It’s more intimate than a college show and more accessible for fans. I grew up loving both high school and college football, and when the air changes in the fall I can’t help but get excited. It’s a privilege to bring that feeling to the world with this project.”

Event sponsors include: RealTruck.com, ZENB, Boss Services, Ace Hardware, RE/MAX by the Lake, Alliance RV, TPC Technologies, RC Photography, T-Shirt Printing Plus, Red Canoe Furniture, and News Talk Sports 94.9 WSJM. 

What to Expect at South Haven:

• Exclusive Interviews: Get up close and personal with high school football coaches, players, and notable guests as they share their insights and anecdotes.

• Insightful Analysis: A seasoned production team, with years of experience in sports entertainment, delivers expert analysis, adding depth and context to each matchup.

• Untold Stories: Hyper-local journalism at its finest, the FFT team goes deeper into each community, sharing behind-the-scenes reports of notable alumni and current athletics programs, along with heart-tugging memories and good community works that each team, coach, and player does every day.

• Lively Pre-game Atmosphere: The Friday Football Tailgate set consists of an RV (courtesy of Elkhart’s Alliance RV), a jumbotron, and a large event stage.

• Tailgate Activities: Fans can enjoy food available for purchase, tailgate games, t-shirt giveaways, and more.

Upcoming Event Details: The show will be live from 5 P.M. to 6 P.M. at these high school campuses this fall:

• October 4: South Haven High School vs. Watervliet High School (Homecoming)

• October 18: Buchanan High School at Dowagiac High School

How to Get Involved:

• Be a Part of the Live Audience: Join us at South Haven High School for an unforgettable homecoming experience. Bring your signs, cheers, and team spirit to be featured on the show.

• Sponsorship Opportunities: FFT does not charge the schools any money to bring this quality content to them and gives them exclusive access to all the content for free after the show, to use in perpetuity to promote their brands and programs. Support your community and elevate your brand by using your marketing dollars as an FFT sponsor. From TV commercials to on-stage interviews, connect with our dedicated team to explore the various sponsorship levels available.

Stay Connected: Follow Friday Football Tailgate on Facebook or Instagram for behind-the-scenes glimpses, updates, and exciting announcements.

For media inquiries or interviews, contact: 

Ryan Cheevers, Producer: ryan@littleredfern.com or 310-709-2569

Previous episodes of the show and re-cap videos can be found on FFT’s YouTube channel.

About Friday Football Tailgate: Friday Football Tailgate is a southwest Michigan-based pregame show that celebrates high school football rivalries. With a seasoned production team, engaging content, and a vibrant community spirit, FFT is the show for football enthusiasts across southwest Michigan and beyond. For more information, visit www.fridayfootballtailgate.com.