About 110 Wicomico Panthers will play football against the Eastern Short Gators in the new Sea Gull Stadium at Salisbury University on Saturday.

The players, aged 5 to 14, will play four games from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Participating Panther teams are Tiny Mites, Mitey Mites, Junior Pee Wee and Junior Varsity.

“This a great opportunity for Salisbury and Wicomico County Panthers to connect. I think the kids are excited but it won’t really hit them until we enter that locker room and they put the uniform on and be able to take it all in,” said Kevin Lindsay, assistant coach defense.

He has invited Mayor Jake Day, Delegate Carl Anderton, Wicomico County Council President John Cannon, Salisbury City Council President Jack Heath and County Executive Bob Culver to attend.

The Panthers play in the Henlopen Pop Warner Football Conference, part of Pop Warner Little Scholars.

Lindsay said Anderton approached him last year when he was running for City Council.

“He said, ‘Let's see if we can get the kids to play in the stadium.’ With the help from him and Robby Sheehan in the SU president's office, we were able to secure a day and make it happen,” Lindsay said, adding he’s grateful for the opportunity.

County Executive Culver said he would be stopping by to watch the Panthers.

"I'm happy for the children with their first time playing at Sea Gull Stadium,” Culver said. “It is a great opportunity for all concerned.  I look forward to stopping by sometime on Saturday to join the excitement."

“We are excited for the youth to be able to experience this day. I’m a big believer in youth being positive role models in the community. Also, I’m a big believer in the community buying into the youth,” Lindsay said.