$20 per person
5 on 5, minimum 5 people per team
Round robin tournament
Field goal contest at intermission
Free agency available

Register before January 15th and get a free shirt.

For more info, contact Brandon Griffin at the Bryant Parks & Recreation at 501.847.7275.

Central Arkansas has produced some amazing receivers, from Hall-of-Famers Don Hutson and Keith Jackson to current Razorback Joe Adams. I wrote an article in Sync magazine debating who, though, is the area’s best ever. Check it out for stats, insight from the likes of Wally Hall, Wadie Moore and Bernie Cox, as well as some great old-school pics.

The talent is improving all the time in Saline County though, and with the likes of J.J. Meadors training the next crop of football players, there’s no reason a Hornet or Panther couldn’t one day soon be considered for this title.

Looking into the past, who would represent Saline County if each county had to produce a best receiver ever? Would you vote that receiver as the best in central Arkansas history, or one of these?

Some of ya’ll may point out it’s difficult to compare generations because the game changes so much. I’m right there with you, and blogged my heart out on the issue.

Thanks for taking the time to read these articles and vote.

Sync magazine is a central Arkansas weekly affiliated with the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

LITTLE ROCK — With the game exactly three weeks away, Salt Bowl officials outlined plans for the events Friday afternoon leading up to the annual backyard rivalry between Benton and Bryant played at War Memorial Stadium.

What used to be a game has turned into a series of events and vehicle for fans from both schools to help charitable causes.

This year, Panthers and Hornets fans lend aid to the Rice Depot, American Cancer Society and American Red Cross.

Fans can help the Rice Depot with monetary donations as well as jars of peanut butter. Officials hope to raise $6,000 and collect 5,000 pounds of peanut butter. Auto Body of America plans to donate a vehicle to the Rice Depot during pre-game ceremonies.

Officials will ask fans attending the game to donate money via text message to the American Cancer society. The goal is to raise $2,500.

The Red Cross plans blood drives at Benton High School on Tuesday Aug. 29 from 8 a.m to 6 p.m. and at Bryant High School on Wednesday, Aug. 31 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. All blood donors receive a rally rag of the team of their choice. Officials hope to collect 500 units of blood.

There are also plenty of other plenty of events leading up to the game and spilling into game day. At 5:30 p.m. Monday Everett Buick GMC plays host to a Benton Pep Rally.

At 5:30 Tuesday, the Saline County Car Dealer plays host to a Bryant pep rally. The Cajun Eatery provides hot dogs for both events.

Game day festivities kick off with “Arkansas’ Largest Tailgate Party.” Fans can enjoy free hot dogs and sodas, complements of Saline County banks and credit unions and Coca-Cola. The party begins at 5 p.m. and continues until 7. The stadium gates open at 6.

Just prior to kickoff, the youth football teams from Benton and Bryant are introduced and cheerleaders from each school perform. The coin flip precedes the game and the coin used is provided by Everett’s. Each senior football player, cheerleader and band member will receive a gold commemorative coin with a Salt Bowl logo and Everett logo.

At halftime both dance teams perform and two different contests are held. One lucky Chick-fil-A customer, who signs up at the Bryant location prior to the game, will kick a field goal for a chance to win a year’s supply of chicken.

Everett holds its annual “Toss for a Truck” contest.

Three contestants will be picked from those who entered at the tailgate party and will try to throw three passes into a truck. Female contestants must throw balls in the tuck bed from the 10-yard left hash, the 15-yard middle and 10-yard right has in 24 seconds. Male contestants must land passes form the 15-yard left hash, 20-yard middle and 15-yard right hash with the same time limit.

For $10 fans can buy tickets, with an official T-shirt included, at Central Arkansas Big Red locations. Children 5-and-under are free. Officials suggest buying tickets prior to game day to avoid lines. Tickets at the gate sell for $8 and T-shirts sell for $15.

If you are an avid fan of Benton and Bryant politics and want a platform to share your opinions and report on political events in Benton and Bryant, this is your opportunity to shine.

If you are a writer and need a platform to publish your stories about Benton and /or Bryant, this is your opportunity to shine.

If you attend Bryant High School or Benton High School and write for your school paper and want another platform to publish your stories, this is your opportunity to shine.

If you are a photographer (amateur or professional) and want to contribute to the Benton Vs. Bryant website, this is your opportunity to show off your creative photography skills on a popular platform.

Please click here and send your information via the contact form on this Benton Vs. Bryant website.

TICKET OUTLETS

Big Red Valero Stores

Bryant Schools Athletic Director’s Office

Benton Schools Athletic Director’s Office

Tickets are $5 for all ages and available at all Big Red Valero locations across central Arkansas as well as the athletic directors’ offices at both schools. Tickets will be available at the gate.

This will be the 38th gridiron meeting between the two schools. Benton leads the series 24-12-1 but Bryant, with last-year’s win, has won ten of the last 12 meetings.

Weigh-ins begin at 8:30 AM and the meet will begin at 10:00 am.

This is a great sport that is in its infant stages in Arkansas.  The first Benton-Bryant meet would be a great way for people in this area to find out more about the sport.

Spots for the East football squad were earned by Bryant running back Chris Rycraw and offensive lineman Kaleb Burns.  Rycraw broke the single-season and career-rushing records at Bryant High School.

The West volleyball squad will feature two Benton volleyball players, Ty Lindberg and Sam Comet.  The Lady Panthers won the state championship under coach Brandy Chumley, who earned a spot as assistant coach on the West squad.

Benton cheerleaders Carly Glover and Katie Mills join coach Karen Hilborn on the West cheer squad. The Benton High School Cheerleader squad was recently named the National Cheerleaders Association National High School Champions for their division.

MacKenzie Cole and Cara Prichard will represent Bryant High School on the East dance team.  Benton High School is represented by Hannah Eddington and Jordan Fletcher on the West dance team.

Come support your favorite teams!

10:00am – Girls – Mt. St. Mary vs. Benton
11:30pm – Boys – Benton vs. Bryant
1:00pm – Girls – Hot Springs vs. CAC
2:30pm – Boys – Hot Springs vs. Oak Grove
4:00pm – Girls – Lakeside vs. Mt Pine
5:30pm – Boys – Lakeside vs. CAC
7:00pm – Girls – Lake Hamilton vs. Bryant
8:30pm – Boys – Lake Hamilton vs. Mt Pine

The Lady Hornets improved to 9-0 on the season with a 70-56 win over their rivals in the annual Salt Bowl Shootout at UALR’s Stephens Center on Friday night.

See more photos from the 2009 Salt Bowl Shootout on the photo album page.