Groveport Madison’s Curtis Barnett Jr. receives punt during the Cruisers’ varsity football game against the Pickerington Central Tigers on Oct. 7. The Tigers defeated the Cruisers 21-14. It was the Cruisers’ homecoming game and the team also wore special Operation Buckeye Program National Guard uniforms. Since 2011, Operation Buckeye Guard has helped high school football teams honor the military by providing camouflage uniforms in partnership with the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association. Through the program, schools can request American flag helmet decals, school-branded patriotic banners, inflatable tunnels with smoke machines for pregame player introductions, and other engagement by local citizen-soldiers.
