There’s no school in the Port Allegany school district on Thursday, and for good reason.

The Port Allegany Gators will be playing in their first-ever state championship game in football, taking on Bishop Guilfoyle at 1 p.m. at Cumberland Valley High School in Mechanicsburg.

Here’s just a few notes as the Gators prepare for the Marauders (see Thursday’s Era for complete pregame coverage).

– Tickets are $8 per person and can be purchased on the PIAA website.

– There is a community fan bus available to the first 48 people that sign up, courtesy of Port Allegany Chiropractic. It is family-friendly and children must be accompanied by an adult. Donations will be used toward a second bus if needed or to the Port Allegany football boosters. Contact Sandra Green at 814-232-2771 for more information.

– There is also a student bus available for students in grades 7-12. Game tickets must be purchased in advance.

– Aiden Bliss is up for a national award. The Gators’ star junior is one of 25 high school athletes nationwide that is up for SI National Boys Athlete of the Week following his 300-yard, 5-touchdown performance against Fort Cherry. Voting closes on Monday, Dec. 9 at 11:59 p.m.