The 2009 prep football season is just around the corner as evidenced by the announcement of the schools and matchups for the third-annual Wheeling Hospital Football and Band Jamboree.

In its inaugural year, the jamboree featured eight squads, but swelled to 18 last year. It returns this year with two matchups on both Aug. 20 and Aug. 21 at Wheeling Island Stadium.

The two-day affair will showcase eight area football teams in head-to-head pre-season competition and also will feature the schools’ marching bands. The cheerleaders will show their support from the sidelines as part of the Spirit Contest.

The field is now composed of six West Virginia schools and a pair of Ohio schools. Representing the Mountain State are: Wheeling Park, Wheeling Central, John Marshall, Brooke, Magnolia, and Oak Glen. Martins Ferry and St. Clairsville round out the selected teams.

The Jamboree matchups were structured to pit former rivals against one another or pair up those that have been traditionally strong programs.

Wheeling Central will play St. Clairsville, pitting Maroon Knight Coach Mike Young against his former school.

Brooke will have its new head coach, Tom Bruney, in place when the Bruins battle Tony Filberto and Oak Glen. The Magnolia Blue Eagles will clash with John Marshall Friday at 5:30 p.m., with the junior varsity to follow. It’s been a long time since the Blue Eagles played the Monarchs. In the past they opened the season against them, but that hasn’t been the case for several years. Now the Eagles get the chance to kick-off the much anticipated season against a formidable Class AAA opponent.

The varsity scrimmages will start at 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. on both nights. Teams will wear game uniforms and a five-man officiating crew will work each scrimmage. The event will feature varsity and junior varsity games.

The varsity squads will play for 75 minutes and reserve squads for 45 minutes, during which the 25-second play clock will be utilized. However, because of state rules, scores will not appear on the scoreboard.

Each segment will include a JV scrimmage and a performance by each school’s marching band. In addition, there will be competition among cheering squads, with the criteria for winning to include measuring the spirit shown by the fans and cheerleaders. The winner of the spirit competition will be announced following Saturday’s final game.

Advance sale tickets, available from any participating school, are $8. Admission will be $10 at the gate. A portion of the advance ticket sales will be returned to the competing schools, so fans are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance.