Friday, September 3, 2010

Football season is finally here, and to open the 2010 season two schools will square off for the first time since the 1960s.

"The history of Garden City vs. Scott City goes a little further back than you or I," says Martin Segovia with a laugh, "but really it's just an opportunity for both schools with a good, solid tradition to get together and have a great contest."

As the GCHS Athletic Director, Segovia knows Friday night's game is huge for the area. "(Scott City is just) 30 miles away, so you can't get any closer than that. We're going to have a great crowd from both communities, so we're excited."

Garden City and Scott City have not faced each other since 1964, mainly because of the size difference in schools. The 6-A Buffaloes have nearly five times as many students as the 3-A Beavers.

"We don't have a lot of competition, as far as 6-A schools out in Western Kansas. We're getting to the point where we're kind of locked in to playing teams a little closer to home because of budgets and those other things that we're facing."

A year ago when football schedules were being made, it only made sense that these two squads class on the gridiron.

"Who better than Scott City to get on your schedule?" Segovia asks. "They compete year in and year out, get into the playoffs, and win state titles. They're very competitive and well coached."

With all the buzz and excitement this game has generated, it would be shocking to see these two teams go another 46 years without playing each other.