A New York State semifinal high school football matchup between Cornwall and Burnt Hills almost had to be postponed, but folks at Middletown Schools went to work to keep that from happening. 

"Obviously not the best timing for sure," said Middletown Schools Athletic Director David Coates. "We probably had about 12 to 13 inches [of snow]." 

Crews worked all day to get the stadium cleaned up in time for an 8 p.m. Friday kickoff. They started in the early morning hours shoveling and clearing snow from the bleachers, walkways, and parking lots.

For the field, a plow company out of Binghamton was called to get the turf ready for game time. 

"Just makes all the difference in the world," said Coley Taylor, the field's head groundskeeper. "If it wasn't for that plow there, we couldn't shovel this field. We can do the bleachers and the driveways and stuff, but we could never get it off this field in time."

Officials at the school say this is the first time they have had such a big storm ahead of a big sporting event. They never had to plow the field before, and they are thankful for the team effort to get ready. 

"We just all get together and get the job done," said Taylor.  

Coates says all the effort is worth it — not only for the schools and players, but for the city as well.

"A lot of people will be coming into town, not only for our school but for our community at large," said Coates.

He estimates around 1,000 to 1,500 people attended games like these.

"The economic impact is very significant," said Coates.