Heels aim high.

• Author: Pomeranz, Jim
• Position: NC TREND: Western Region

It's been a decade since Appalachian State University pulled off college football's upset of the century, defeating Michigan 34-32 in Ann Arbor. Since then, the Mountaineers have moved up to the NCAA's highest competitive level, joined the far-flung Sun Belt Conference and invited more college powerhouses to Watauga County.

One of them is UNC Chapel Hill, which agreed in February to a three-game series with ASU that includes games in Chapel Hill in 2019 and 2023, and a match at Boone's Kidd Brewer Stadium in 2022. The two teams have met on the gridiron only once before, in 1940 in Chapel Hill with the Tar Heels winning 56-6.

"Our goal is to continue to bring Power 5 opponents, when available, and quality Group of 5 opponents to Boone," ASU athletic director Doug Gillin says, referring to the 10 main collegiate athletic conferences. "It benefits our students, student-athletes, university and community."

Boone's economy relies on tourism, so more arrivals for fall football games is appreciated by owners of the 5,000 hotel and bed-and-breakfast rooms within 30 miles. When Atlantic Coast Conference stalwart Miami visited last year, a record 35,000 fans attended. The game helped achieve full occupancy for Watauga County and surrounding areas, says David Jackson, president of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce...