Carthage's Gibbons to play in inaugural state game

Carthage senior Pat Gibbons has been selected to participate in the inaugural New York State High School Football Classic, to be played Sunday at Syracuse University's Carrier Dome.

Gibbons, scheduled to play linebacker in the game, was the only area athlete to be selected, and reported to SU on Wednesday along with about 80 standout players from around the state. The teams, separated into upstate and downstate squads, were scheduled to have practices each day and stay on campus until Sunday's 3 p.m. kickoff.

Gibbons, a former Times All-North selection, racked up over 300 tackles and rushed for more than 1,200 yards as he became the first player to be a five-year starter for the Comets. He also won this year's Section 3 wrestling title at 285 pounds.

The son of R.J. and Marsha Gibbons, he plans to attend Milford Academy in New Berlin following graduation from Carthage.