Concho Valley Schools Among State’s Oldest Football Rivalries

SAN ANGELO, TX — Texas Football released a list of the state’s oldest high school football rivalries, and a few Concho Valley teams — including San Angelo Central — are included.

The Central Bobcats’ rivalry with Abilene High is tied for the fifth-oldest in Texas, dating back to 1910.

Central and Abilene have played 99 times with the all-time series tied at 47-47-5. Their 100th meeting will be this year’s season opener at San Angelo Stadium on Aug. 28.

Another Concho Valley school, Ballinger, makes the list in a tie for ninth for its rivalry with Coleman, which dates to 1926.

The schools have played 98 times, including every year from 1926 to 1989, but the two rivals — located about 35 miles apart — aren’t scheduled to play this fall.

On the fringe of our coverage area is Goldthwaite vs. San Saba, which is tied for the 10th oldest rivalry. They first met in 1915 and have played 108 times, which makes it the sixth-most played game.

They’ve met 73 straight years since 1953.

The state’s oldest rivalry belongs to Groesbeck and Mexia, which first met in 1901. They’ve played 87 times overall. El Campo and Bay City have met the most times with 122 games played since 1911.

For a look at Texas Football’s entire list, check out their story here.