Auburn, Cato-Meridian football head to Dome as Syracuse art and history projects advance
Auburn and Cato-Meridian football teams prepare for championship games at the JMA Wireless Dome, while Syracuse sees new public art and major civic project updates. Columbus Bakery marks 130 years in business.
Friday football brings Auburn and Cato-Meridian to the Dome
SYRACUSE, N.Y., Auburn and Cato-Meridian high school football teams are set to play for Section III championships at the JMA Wireless Dome this Friday, according to The Citizen (Auburn). Auburn’s Maroons secured their spot after a win over Whitesboro in the Class A semifinals at Holland Stadium on November 6. Cato-Meridian’s Blue Devils advanced after a victory against Sauquoit Valley the same day.
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The Maroons’ defense, led by coordinator Matt Moskov, has been a driving force this season. Players like Logan Polcovich, Skye Muldrow, and Dom Ciampaglia have made key plays, including a fumble recovery against Watertown and several tackles in the semifinal win. Auburn’s head coach Dave Moskov and his team celebrated the semifinal victory with students and fans at Holland Stadium.
Cato-Meridian’s squad, featuring players like Evan Stonecypher, Logan Smith, Adam Hulsizer, and Liam Mantell, also celebrated a strong defensive showing. The Blue Devils are looking to flip a recent losing streak against their championship opponent, having gone 0-5 in the last four seasons, per The Citizen (Auburn).
Both teams will play back-to-back at the Dome on Friday. For fans traveling from Auburn or Cato, expect increased traffic on I-690 and around the University Hill area near the Dome. Ticket details are available through school athletic departments.
By The Numbers
- 2: Section III championship games featuring Auburn and Cato-Meridian at the Dome this Friday (The Citizen (Auburn)).
- 0-5: Cato-Meridian’s record against their championship opponent in the last four seasons (The Citizen (Auburn)).
- 130: Years Columbus Baking Co. has been baking bread on Pearl Street in Syracuse (Daily Orange).
- 80,000: Square feet planned for the Harborview Aquarium at Syracuse’s Inner Harbor (Daily Orange).
- $104 million: Updated investment in the Harborview Aquarium project (Daily Orange).
Syracuse’s public art and history in the spotlight
Downtown Syracuse’s utility boxes have become canvases for local artists, thanks to the Unboxed Utility Box Art Project, according to the Daily Orange. Nine artists, including Lydia Nichols and Clark Smith, have transformed boxes at corners like Catawba and North Salina streets and South Franklin and West Fayette streets. Smith’s design honors the Haudenosaunee and Onondaga Nation, while Nichols’ “Keep Syracuse Salty” references the city’s salt history and features birds seen around Onondaga Lake.
The Downtown Syracuse Foundation and Downtown Committee of Syracuse sponsor the project, with supplies sourced from The Art Store off Erie Boulevard East. The public can view these works at intersections throughout downtown, including a salt potato boat box at South Warren and East Onondaga streets. The project aims to make art accessible to everyone walking through the city’s core.
For more on local food and culture, check our CNY dining page.
Columbus Circle monument redesign and bakery milestone
Plans to replace the Christopher Columbus monument in St. Mary’s Circle are moving forward, with three finalists in the Full Circle Design Competition presenting their visions this week, the Daily Orange reports. The monument, dedicated in 1934, has been a point of debate since 2020. The Onondaga Historical Association is leading the competition, and the designs are on display at the OHA museum for the next two weeks with free admission.
The Columbus Monument Corporation has announced legal action against the OHA, citing concerns about transparency and the process. The OHA maintains that the CMC was invited to participate from the start. The new designs aim to reflect Syracuse’s diverse communities and history, with public art as a central theme.
Meanwhile, Columbus Baking Co. on Pearl Street continues its 130-year tradition. The bakery, run by the Retzos family for five generations, still uses original ovens and sells four types of loaves for $5.25 each, cash only. The business was inducted into the New York State Historic Business Preservation Registry in 2022, according to the Daily Orange.
For more on Syracuse restaurants and food traditions, visit our Syracuse restaurants guide.
Harborview Aquarium project faces new delays
The $104 million Harborview Aquarium project at Syracuse’s Inner Harbor remains without a confirmed opening date, despite initial plans for a fall launch, according to the Daily Orange. The 80,000-square-foot facility, managed by the ZoOceanarium Group, has seen costs rise from the original $85 million estimate. County legislators have voiced frustration over a lack of transparency and shifting timelines, with the County Executive’s office now saying the opening will be “in the coming weeks.”
Funding for the aquarium included a $5.7 million transfer from the Greater Syracuse Soundstage Development Corporation, a move that drew criticism from some lawmakers. The project’s delays and cost overruns have kept it in the public eye, especially for residents near Onondaga Lake and the Inner Harbor.
What to watch for next
Friday’s championship football games at the Dome will draw fans from Auburn, Cato, and across Central New York. Expect heavy traffic on I-690 and around University Hill. Downtown Syracuse’s public art installations remain on display, and the Columbus monument redesign process continues with community input at the OHA museum. The Harborview Aquarium’s opening date is still pending, with county officials promising more information soon.
Where to check for updates
For the latest on high school sports, visit The Citizen (Auburn). Updates on Syracuse public art and civic projects can be found at the Downtown Committee of Syracuse and the Onondaga Historical Association. For aquarium news, check Onondaga County’s official website. For food and dining, see our CNY dining page.
📷 Wikimedia / Wikipedia , JMA Wireless Dome , CC BY-SA 4.0 / Public Domain (verify per file)
Sources
- The Citizen (Auburn), Auburn football playoff coverage
- The Citizen (Auburn), Cato-Meridian football and Dome ticket details
- Daily Orange, Syracuse utility box art project
- Daily Orange, Columbus monument redesign competition
- Daily Orange, Columbus Baking Co. history
- Daily Orange, Harborview Aquarium project delays
