(SPS) -- The longstanding American Heritage Bank Highway 97 Rivalry sees the Chieftains meeting the Sandites on the football field for the 99th time.
Both teams are coming into the game in 6A-II-2, with tied 7-2 records. The OSSAA officially ranks Sand Springs first and Sapulpa second in the district standings.
The Chieftains fell 21-0 to the Sandites in 2024, with the Sandites taking home the Highway 97 traveling trophy-- a metal HWY 97 road sign State Rep. Mark Lawson (Sapulpa) procured from the Oklahoma Department of Transportation.
American Heritage Bank now sponsors the rivalry game, holding a press conference with both teams earlier this week.
The Highway 97 Rivalry has a storied history.
Friday's game will be 99th time the two football teams have played each other since 1922! Several years were skipped early in the 99-year-old rivalry, and Sapulpa met Sand Springs in the playoffs in 1997.
This game is an important one for Sapulpa to hold on to become district champions. Even though the Sandites have the traveling trophy now, the Chieftains claimed 45 victories in the Highway 97 Rivalry since 1922, with the Sandites standing at 48.
Highway 97 Rivalry Trivia:
Five games ended in ties (1933, 1935, 1953, 1954, 1962, and 1964)
The Chieftains' longest winning streak was 2001-2005
In 1922, Sapulpa won 36-0, but the largest Sapulpa victory was in 2001 when the Chieftains won 60-19.
The last time the Chieftains won was in 2019 at Collins Stadium when Sapulpa beat the Sandites 31-19.
The first Sapulpa-Sand Springs football game was held in 1922. The rivalry game wasn't played again until 1928.
50 years ago, in 1975, the Chieftains defeated the Sandites 13-6 under coach Jerry Bailey (photo courtesy: Kirk McCracken). 1975 was the last year the Chieftains were coached by Bailey, who was tragically murdered in 1976. The Bailey building where the Chieftains still train today, is named after Coach Bailey.
.jpg "Jerry Bailey")
25 years ago, in 2000, the Sandites beat the Chieftains 35-14. However, in the years following, the Chieftains had their longest Highway 97 Rivalry winning streak, defeating the Sandites 2001-2005.
Wild Game: In 2023, the Sandites beat the Chieftains at Collins Stadium 64-54!
.jpg "2023 game")
The last time the Chieftains claimed victory in the Highway 97 Rivalry was in 2019, beating the Sandites 31-19.
Highway 97 Rivalry Scoring History
This Friday, Nov. 7, the Chieftains head up Highway 97 to grab back the traveling trophy. Kickoff is at 7:00 p.m. at Charles Page Memorial Stadium in Sand Springs. Tickets can be purchased at the gate or online at https://gofan.co/event/3915670
