TEXARKANA MONTHLY
summer workouts leading to that first game of the year. We had friends from the Arkansas side that we loved to hate that week. It was just all good fun.” This highly anticipated tradition has tragically been robbed from the students of 2020 by COVID-19. While the loss may be devastating to many, they are not the first nor the second generation to experience this theft. From the rivalry game’s inception, it has been canceled only a handful of times, in 1913, 1914, 1921, and 1954, with causes ranging from the threat of problems due to the intense rivalry between these two hometown teams, to a World War which understandably caused the game to be side-lined until better times. It was also canceled in 1952, but this time not for an unfortunate reason like the War, COVID-19 or intense rivalry threats. This time it was because Texas High was in the state playoffs and was simply unable to make it to the Thanksgiving Day game. Arkansas High had to settle for a faceoff against the Hope Bobcats as the replacement to their traditional “Battle of the Axe.” Dale Works was a senior running back at Arkansas High in 1952 and when recalling the feeling of having to replace the Tigers as opponents he said, “It just wasn’t the same. When we played Texas High the whole town turned out, all the ladies dressed up with big corsages, and both sides had a game queen. Not playing the Texas/Arkansas game was not just a loss to the football team, it affected everyone that had a part in the game. It was a tradition the whole community looked forward to. Everyone always hurried to have Thanksgiving so they could get to the big game.” In recent years, the game has drawn crowds of up to 10,000 spectators. The school districts bring in large amounts of revenue from ticket sales alone. “The cancellation of the Texas High vs. Arkansas High annual rivalry game affects many different groups for many different reasons,” said Tina Veal-Gooch, Executive Director of Public Relations. “In terms of annual ticket sales, when it is a home (Tiger Stadium) game for Texas High, we generate around $30,000 in revenue.” Add to that booster club donations, concessions, programs, T-shirts and other spirit related items from this matchup and the losses could top $70,000. “Needless to say, everyone is disappointed,” Veal-Gooch said. “However, it is our senior students that really suffer the loss more than others. In a time where so much seems to be taken away from them, this is just one more thing to add for our senior students. No doubt that AHS is as disappointed at the cancellation of this game as THS is. I know that both teams have looked at ways to consider playing it another time but, unfortunately, it is just not possible for either team this year. We look forward to those sporting events against AHS that remain on our schedule.” “This football season is unlike any other that we have experienced. There have been so many changes in the way everyone goes about their daily lives and football is no different. The loss of the Arkansas High vs. Texas High game was a part of the crazy 2020 year,” said Arkansas High’s Athletic Director, Barry Norton. Norton has a unique perspective of this game having coached both hometown teams throughout the years. “I have many great memories of the game as do many others. The kids were disappointed in not getting to play that game; however, we are very thankful to be getting to play this fall. In the grand scheme of things, losing that
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