Boone prepares for much-anticipated matchup between App State and UNC

BOONE, N.C. — Kidd Brewer Stadium on the campus of Appalachian State University was quiet Thursday, but the school is expecting one of the biggest crowds ever for the football team’s game at Kid Brewer Stadium against the University of North Carolina on Saturday.

The game officially sold out in July but on the resale market, tickets for the game are selling for more than $500.

Already, App State alumni are arriving for the big game and the Marching Mountaineer band is getting in its final practices.

“I think it’s huge for the university and the football team as well,” said Chris Vogler, an App State alum.

Black and gold gear sold quickly in downtown Boone where Channel 9′s Dave Faherty saw fans rolling in early to the High Country for the big game.

“We are selling out like crazy,” Alexis Hair told Channel 9. “Everybody is coming in for their merch to make sure they’re representing App State.”

Some workers at local hotels told Faherty they expect to be sold out this weekend, but for now, rooms are still available.

The crowd for the matchup could exceed 35,000 fans, officials said.

Officials with the university told Channel 9 they began preparing for the logistics of the game six months ago.

“One of the biggest pieces of advice we want to communicate is to make sure you leave early and make sure you allow extra time for travel,” said Jason Marshburn, Appalachian State’s emergency director.

The game, scheduled at noon on Saturday, is expected to be close and students said they held a lottery to get tickets for the in-state face-off.

“If you didn’t get the ticket, you just didn’t get it, and you’d have to pay $150 for a ticket,” said student Daye Talley.

If you can’t get a ticket to the game, it will be televised on ESPNU starting at noon.

(WATCH BELOW: App State, CMPD participate in Cops and Cleats event)

App State, CMPD participate in Cops and Cleats event

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