TEXARKANA, Texas – The Texas High-Arkansas High annual football game has a long and storied history that from time to time draws national attention.
But its not the only football game in town.
Texas High and Pleasant Grove High schools girls soccer teams are developing a similar crosstown rivalry.
The girls soccer teams will face off in a season-opening matchup at Tiger Stadium on New Year's Eve. Very unusual.
By definition, it will be the last soccer game of the calendar year for city schools. Soccer balls are expected to be flying around like confetti at midnight -- only you won't have to stay up so late to see the action.
The junior varsity teams will play at 11 a.m. at Tiger Stadium, Texas High's home pitch, while the varsity game is slated to begin at 12:30 p.m.
Last year, the teams split the series with Pleasant Grove taking a 2-1 win at Texas High and THS responding with a 2-0 victory at PG's house two weeks after.
Hillary Cloud, who's in her fourth year as the head coach at THS, said this game is always a special one for the players and for the soccer community.
"The Pleasant Grove game is always fun because these girls are friends outside of soccer, and they might play club soccer against each other," Cloud said. "So, we play each other usually once or twice a season, but the competition lasts all year long.
"What's coolest about this game is that it reflects how much Texarkana soccer has improved. Coach (Andy) Allen has done a wonderful job with his program, and I'm trying to follow in his footsteps. It's just cool to see that many talented girls come together and represent Texarkana soccer as a whole."
Hawk head coach Andy Allen has seen this rivalry develop dating back to 2007.
"The games have always been close since I've been here, even early on when we weren't very good," Allen said. "Then Texas High started having some really good teams, and we started having some good teams, and that's when the rivalry took off. They had Hannah Brantley, and we had Chelsea Cole – probably two of the best soccer players that I've seen come through Texarkana. That was back when we were in the same district."
Pleasant Grove finished first in their district last year, with a 14-3-5 overall record and an 8-0 district record, according to MaxPreps.com. Texas High went 8-10-1 overall and 3-8 in district play, missing the playoffs by one placing point.
Both teams will be dealing with the loss of some key players from last season, some due to injuries and some from seniors graduating.
"We're replacing all five starters on defense from last year, so that's going to be a huge test for us," Allen said. "They're going to pressure us, and we don't want to give up goals that could be prevented. So, it's just about some fundamental things like backing each other up and not letting the ball go through your hands. And we've got to be able to generate an attack on offense and get in a rhythm. I think when a team is in a rhythm, they can create more scoring opportunities."
THS graduated two seniors from last year, has a starting goalkeeper who is graduating early and a starting centre-back out for the year with a torn ACL.
"I think this is always a fun way to kick off our season, and this is a good parameter for coach Allen and I to see how we handle the issues we might have as we play," Cloud said. "I know they've got some speed up top, and they play a different formation than we do, so we're going to work to neutralize the midfield. We're pretty young this year, so our strength is definitely using our speed and hopefully trying to capitalize on opportunities in their defensive half. I'm excited to see how my girls come together and how they overcome as a unit."
(Tiger Stadium at Grim Park is located at the intersection of Summerhill Road and West 12th Street.)