Sioux Falls public schools gear up for Presidents Bowl

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Four faces, four schools and two games. Saturday's Presidents Bowl between the Sioux falls public schools is sure to be a great day of football and ahead of kickoff each team took a moment to realize just how big these games are.

"It's the pageantry, it's the bands, it's all the student section. You know, it just, it feels like a big time event," Lincoln Head Coach Jared Fredenburg said.

The Presidents Bowl is one of the oldest bowl games in South Dakota, dating back 34 years to the first game in 1992.

Since then, it's grown to become one of the biggest events on the high school athletics calendar.

"I'm a guy that grew up in Sioux Falls. So I've been coming to this since I was born. It's always been a big deal," Roosevelt Defensive Coordinator Brandon Mohr said.

"There isn't any other stage like it in Sioux Falls football until the playoffs, really," Washington Head Coach Ryan Evans added.

With a stage so big for both players and coaches, Jefferson Head Coach Eric Struck says there is a balance between excitement and preparation.

"You try not to make it a bigger deal than what it is. You try not to get caught up in the moment, but at the same time, you only get so many of these opportunities, you know, you get one a week. So go out and enjoy it and make the most of it," Struck said.

In this year's edition of the bowl, Washington will battle Roosevelt at 2:00 p.m. while Jefferson will take on Lincoln in the second game at 5:00.

"I just want to see our kids go out and have fun and play and let loose and show that we're turning a corner at Roosevelt, it's a big opportunity for us," Mohr said.

"It's, you know, turning into a rivalry between Jefferson and Lincoln, two talented teams. So the kids are already excited. They're already fired up," Struck said.

With kickoff rapidly approaching, a pair of coaches talked about what excites them most about this weekend.

"Lincoln winning. That's what I'm looking forward to," Fredenburg said.

"Kickoff. I got, my blood, my blood just gets going. I get goosebumps and maybe that's the kid in me, but it's so exciting," Evans said.

We will have highlights of both Presidents Bowl games on KELOLAND news on Saturday.