At the beginning of each fall semester, Fort Smith high school students and families look forward to one of the most significant events of the school year. Everyone is filled with anticipation as they fill the football stands and witness the Battle of Rogers Avenue. The rivalry between Fort Smith high schools, Southside and Northside, is no secret. It is tradition for these schools to be rivals in anything and everything, but the Battle of Rogers Avenue is arguably the most competitive and attended game of all.

     Southside’s losing streak threatened to reach year eight, but this season, something was different. “I felt like we were going to lose, but I have that Maverick in me,” said sophomore majorette Hailey Andolina. “I was excited to be able to perform and watch my friends compete in the Battle of Rogers Avenue.”

     While Southside has not had the best of luck for a little while now, students were supportive and excited to see the football team succeed this season. The student section was encouraging and upbeat throughout the game, hoping for a Southside win. 

     With this game ending the losing streak, everyone in attendance was thrilled to witness a change in the course of Southside’s history. “The energy was super high, and everyone was excited when we got touchdowns,” junior Ella McEntire said.

     Not only were the students in the student section enthusiastic about the Battle of Rogers, but other Southside organizations were there to support the Mavs as well. “The game against Northside is always different compared to any other game we have during football season. The atmosphere is always competitive and the student section is always great, especially during the third quarter,” junior tenor player Ryder Mack said. 

     The Maverick football team was thrilled to win the game and to be the group to end the losing streak. “It means the world. I think the whole school and city of Fort Smith wanted to see that happen,” senior right guard Kobe Branham said. Branham is committed to play for the Arkansas Razorbacks next fall, and many Southside students and staff are looking forward to keeping up with his career after he graduates. “I’m very excited. I’ve been a fan my whole life,” he said.

     After suffering an injury last season, Amari Tucker was back for the big game against Northside. “It felt amazing. It was just a great rivalry game. They were talking back and forth about how they were going to beat us for an eighth year in a row, but we didn’t let it happen,” Tucker said.

     The Battle of Rogers Avenue is always an exciting event, but Southside’s big win this season made it memorable for everyone in the stands. The win set the Mavericks up for a great season, and the varsity roster appears to be promising for the rest of their games this year.