It’s a huge night for local football as the inaugural Citizens Bank Battle of the Bridge kicks off at 7 p.m. at Stewart Field in Southside.
The Battle of the Bridge will mark the first time the Batesville Pioneers and the Southside Southerners will face off on the football field.
“I don’t think there will be an empty seat,” said Ashley Engles, the community engagement officer at Citizens Bank. Engles visited with Slightly Scrambled’s Wes Gwaltney this morning on Arkansas 103.3 KWOZ.
“We’re so excited to support both schools and getting everybody to come together,” said Engles. (Scroll below to listen to this morning’s interview with Engles below.)
Citizens Bank has also teamed with Van Winkle Sports in the creation of the Battle of the Bridge trophy. The trophy will be awarded to the winner of tonight’s Battle of the Bridge game and future games in the new yearly match-up.
Commemorative t-shirts for both schools have also been printed and will be part of gift baskets that will also include Citizens Bank blankets, cups, tumblers, and a hat. A basket will be given away to one winner from each school at the game’s halftime. (Look for the Citizens Bank tent to register for the baskets.) The t-shirts will also be thrown out to fans at the game.
Image: Citizens Bank
Citizens Bank will also donate $100 to each school’s booster club whenever that particular school scores a touchdown.
Special commemorative tickets to the inaugural Battle of the Bridge game are also available, but going fast. The tickets are $10 each and can be purchased at the main Citizens Bank branch, 655 S. St. Louis St., as well as at the administrative offices of the Batesville and Southside School Districts.
A limited quantity of commemorative tickets may also be available at the game and at the Southside Schools Online Store (click here).
General admission tickets will also be available at the gate for $5 per person.
The game will be locally broadcast live on two White River Now radio stations: 93 KZLE and Your FM 99.5. Both stations also stream worldwide via WhiteRiverNow.com (click under the ‘RADIO’ tab on the home page) as well as through mobile devices via the White River Now app.
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Before the big game, eight students — four from Batesville and four from Southside — will be awarded Battle of the Bridge Scholarships. White River Health and First Community Bank are sponsoring the $500 scholarships which will go to a band member, cheerleader, dance team member, and football player selected from each school. The presentations will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Stewart Field.
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LISTEN BELOW: Ashley Engles (pictured above), the community engagement officer at Citizens Bank, visits with Wes Gwaltney about the inaugural Citizens Bank Battle of the Bridge.
A parking map for tonight’s game as provided by the Southside School District.
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Get up-to-date local and regional news/weather every weekday morning and afternoon from the First Community Bank Newsroom on Arkansas 103.3 KWOZ. White River Now updates are also aired weekday mornings on 93 KZLE, Outlaw 106.5, and Your FM 99.5.
