The first year of the South Warren-Bowling Green football series saw some of the biggest crowds between two area teams in several years.

Extra measures are being taken to ensure game day operations run smoothly at South Warren High School on Friday to control an anticipated heavy crowd.

South Warren is expecting the biggest home crowd in the school’s eight years of varsity football Friday when the Spartans (8-0) host Bowling Green (7-1) in the Class 5A, District 1 championship game at Spartan Stadium.

Spartans athletic director Chris Decker believes it’ll be the biggest home crowd since the school first hosted Greenwood in 2013. That home gate brought in about $9,000 five years ago.

Based off two games last year between the Spartans and Purples at El Donaldson Stadium, Decker believes Friday could draw $15,000-$19,000 in gate revenue.

“It’s huge for our athletic program because football pays for about six different sports,” Decker said. “That money is going to go to golf, tennis, cross country, archery and swimming – all the non-revenue sports will get a piece of this gate this week.”

Bowling Green district athletic director D.G. Sherrill said last year’s two games combined to sell over 3,500 tickets, which doesn’t include the 1,500-1,800 people admitted through student athletic passes, coaches’ cards or game day workers.

Although rain is expected in the area Friday night, Decker and Sherrill both agreed the crowd will be the largest at South Warren yet.

Both schools are selling pre-sale tickets this week to minimize lines entering the game scheduled for a 7 p.m. kickoff.

All pre-sale tickets and normal game day passes will be admitted at the entrance between the fieldhouse and baseball field while the other two gates will be for game day ticket purchases and admittance.

The South Warren Future Farmers of America group will control parking throughout campus and security staff will double to match the expected crowd.

A small set of bleachers has been added to the home side for additional seating while satellite concession stands and portable bathrooms will be added on-site.

The 2017 installment of the new rivalry did not disappoint, which adds more anticipation to Friday’s game.

As the two most successful programs in the area the last eight years, Bowling Green and South Warren split the two games played in the regular season and the playoffs. The Purples have five state championships since 2011 and South Warren won the Class 4A title in 2015 before jumping up to 5A last year.

South Warren enters Friday as the No. 2 team in the latest 5A Associated Press poll while Bowling Green, coming off its first loss at Warren Central, Ind., is ranked No. 3 behind the Spartans and defending 5A champions and top-ranked Covington Catholic.

Bowling Green won the first game 43-7 at home before hosting the Spartans again in the regional final nearly a month later. South Warren won that game 28-21 to advance to the 5A semifinals.

“The first (game) with the crowd and atmosphere was unreal,” South Warren coach Brandon Smith said. “Since I’ve been at South Warren and this area, I don’t remember anything like that. You don’t get anything too often like that and that’s why I hope the weather holds off. That’s good memories for the kids. Just brings another element to the game and I’m kind of hoping for the same thing on Friday.”{&end}