By TYLER HENRY
Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post
The Mayor's Cup matchup has become a Kansas high school football staple over the last 60 years and change, and tonight, the rivalry will be renewed for its 62nd installment.
For six years in the early 2000s, these two met in the regular season and the playoffs, with the winner of that playoff contest claiming a state title five times.
The 2010s belonged to the Cougars, who won the cup seven times in a row from 2011-2017, but that run was cut short by then-newly hired head coach Mark Sandbo, who quickly swung the pendulum in the other direction.
Under Sandbo, the Mustangs have won six of the last seven meetings, including the last four by a combined score of 282-127.
Last year, Central graduated just the fourth class since this rivalry was established back in 1970 to enter as freshmen and leave as seniors without ever relinquishing the cup.
This year, the Cougars will be eager to put a stop to that streak, looking to take the next step under second-year head coach Christien Ozores.
Both teams will feature new quarterbacks, as Griffin Hall takes the reigns for Salina Central, and a tandem of Izzy Telles and Aiden Spellman look to lead Salina South.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 with pregame coverage beginning at 6:40.
This game will be broadcast live, and made available on-demand 100% free on the Salina Post Sports Network, a link to the game can be found below.