(SPS) -- Howdy Week begins across Sapulpa Public Schools on Monday, August 31 and continues through Friday, September 4. Each school will observe special dress-up days throughout the week, so be sure to check with your school on the theme for each day of Howdy Week!

Howdy Week is an annual tradition to welcome students and celebrate a new year of learning, strengthening our school community, and bonding with peers. It is typically celebrated the second or third full week of the school year once students get more comfortable with the back to school routine.

Sapulpa High School marks Howdy Week with an assembly on Friday at noon, during which student organizations are introduced, and students enjoy games and skits.

Howdy Week culminates with the 100th Highway 97 Rivalry football game presented by American Heritage Bank. The Sapulpa Chieftains will take on the Charles Page High School Sandites in the noteworthy 100th match-up of the Highway 97 Rivalry at George F. Collins Stadium on Friday, September 4. Kickoff is at 7:00 p.m.

The Chieftains are practicing hard, and will look to reclaim the title in the historic 100th match-up of the crosstown rivalry. The last time the Chieftains' varsity football team claimed victory in the Highway 97 Rivalry was in 2019, but head coach Tim Holt, Jr., is confident his team has put in the work to bring home the trophy.

Although the Highway 97 Rivalry was first played in 1922, games were not played from 1923 to 1927 and the game was skipped again in 1929. In all, Sapulpa has won 45 Highway 97 Rivalry games, and Sand Springs has won 49. Five games ended in ties, back in the days before overtime.

American Heritage Bank began its official sponsorship of the Highway 97 Rivalry in 2022. Sapulpa Public Schools' athletic department is grateful to American Heritage Bank for its continued support of the district's athletic programs and student athletes.