At stake for Bridgeport is a chance to complete an undefeated run through District 5-3A and keep building momentum heading to the playoffs. For Decatur, a win coupled with a Vernon victory over Iowa Park will send it to the postseason. For both teams, something even more valuable is on the line - bragging rights.
The two rivals will kick off at Eagle Stadium at 7:30 p.m. Friday night.
"It's always a big game," said Bridgeport senior Austin Blevins. "The last couple of years it's been a great atmosphere.
"I remember my sophomore year when we lost in overtime. It'd be nice to go in my senior year, get a win and get a win streak going."
Bridgeport ended Decatur's six-game winning streak in the rivalry last season with a 56-7 victory. Along with it being Bridgeport's first win in the series since 2001, it was the most lopsided margin of victory since Decatur won the game 53-0 in 1960.
Decatur senior defensive and offensive lineman Clint Moore was forced to listen to last year's game on radio while recovering from surgery.
"I didn't get to play last year after tearing my meniscus," Moore said. "I'm looking forward to this."
Bridgeport coach Danny Henson and Decatur coach Kyle Story have matched wits in the rivalry for more than a decade. This will be Henson's 17th Battle of Big Sandy. Story is preparing for his 11th version of the rivalry.
"I've always enjoyed the rivalry," Story said. "There's a lot of hype and emotion. It's a good game. The kids play with a lot of class."
Henson added: "The rivalry has been great. I've told the kids they are so lucky to have something like this to play in. Thousands of kids never get to play on a stage like this."
Bridgeport is rolling into the showdown with a four-game winning streak. The Bulls clinched a playoff spot last week and a share of the District 5-3A crown last week with a 48-6 win over Wichita Falls Hirschi. They can win the title outright Friday.
"This would be a nice cap to the season," said Bridgeport senior defensive lineman Daniel Scott. "A chance to win the district title and the [Battle of Big Sandy] all in the same night, it's a great thing to play for."
Story said the Bulls have been rolling since they fell by a point to Graham in the last non-district game.
"They've been rolling in district games," Story said.
Henson said his team really started turning it on during a loss to state-ranked Argyle.
"We played good against Argyle and showed a lot of improvement," Henson said. "I'm real happy with the way the team has progressed. Going into the season, we were extremely inexperienced on offense and were playing a lot of sophomores and even a freshman."
Quarterback Cody Henson has grown into the offensive leader in his first season. The signal-caller topped 2,000 yards passing last week against Hirschi. He has thrown 23 touchdowns and only seven interceptions.
"He stepped into a starting role and like the rest of them is learning his way," coach Henson said. "A lot of his success has come with the offensive line getting better. A lot of his struggles early were due to his lack of protection."
The play of Henson at quarterback and the entire Bridgeport offense has impressed Story.
"He's done a good job," Story said. "They put a lot of pressure on you defensively and make you defend the whole field. They put you in a lot of one-on-one situations."
Decatur is coming off its second win of the season and of district play, a 31-24 victory over Vernon. The win kept Decatur's playoff hopes alive. The Eagles need a win over Bridgeport and a Vernon victory to put them in the playoffs. They could also get in with a loss and Vernon win over Iowa Park by six, seven or eight points. If Iowa Park wins Friday, the Decatur season will be over.
Last week, Decatur rallied behind Tyler Hodges in the second half, outscoring Vernon 17-3. Hodges played at quarterback most of the second half, rushing for 173 yards.
Story said Hodges, who missed a game and a half with a shoulder injury, worked at quarterback this week with Colton Parker, who started the Vernon game.
"We keep working with both," Story said. "We went with Tyler in the second half the other night after he had some success. We weren't for sure he was going to be able to go. Colton has done a good job and keeps improving."
With Parker and Hodges, Decatur has shown versatility with its offense. Henson said the Bulls have a lot to prepare for.
"They played a great game last week, especially in the second half," Henson said. "We'll prepare for everything. They have been successful at times with everything they do."
The Decatur defense stepped up its play in the second half against Vernon, holding the Lions to just a field goal and 95 yards after halftime. It was the fourth straight game that the defense showed improvement in the second half.
"I was real proud of the way our defense played in the second half," Story said. "Coach [Chris] Jones and the defensive staff do a good job of coming up with something in the middle of the game."
Both teams will be trying to come up with something for four quarters to gain bragging rights for their school.
