KINGSPORT, Tenn. (WJHL) — The classic high school football rivalry between Gate City and Dobyns-Bennett high schools is making a comeback after 55 years, rekindling a competitive spirit that first took root in 1969.

Friday night’s matchup between the old rivals will be broadcast live on ABC Tri-Cities and stream live on WJHL.com and WJHL+.

The rivalry began in 1969 when Dobyns-Bennett emerged victorious in their inaugural match-up. Gate City bounced back with a victory in 1970, eventually clinching a state championship title.

“There was always speculation about what might happen if Gate City faced Dobyns-Bennett or the other way around,” remarked Don Frazier, a former Gate City player, “and we never imagined it would actually take place.”

“The Dobyns-Bennett win was satisfying, very satisfying for the community and us because they’re a good team,” Frazier said.

Former Dobyns-Bennett player Wayne Kilgore also recalled the last matchup between the neighbors.

“I can remember riding over there in a bus to Gate City, and the traffic was horrendous 2 or 3 hours before the game,” Kilgore said.

“The enthusiasm among our teammates and the community was palpable, especially since many parents worked on opposite sides of the state line,” shared Stanley Rogers, another former Gate City player.

“I keep telling everyone that what happens this week isn’t about what occurred 50 years ago,” commented Robb Moore, a past Dobyns-Bennett player, “but I’m sure it will still stir excitement among locals.”

High school football has always been a significant event in the Tri-Cities area, and this particular rivalry holds special significance as the towns are merely 15 minutes from each other.

Friday night’s game is anticipated to draw large crowds, reminiscent of the fervor seen in the past.

“The almost overwhelming, you know, you didn’t play very many games with that kind of crowd,” Kilgore said.

Despite the passage of time, the rivalry remains intense, with Gate City facing a larger and deeper Dobyns-Bennett team, similar to the challenges of the past.

“Their numbers are a lot higher than ours. Their depth is a lot higher than ours,” Frazier said.

As Gate City and Dobyns-Bennett prepare to meet again, the communities are eager to relive the excitement of their historic rivalry, with hopes of walking away with the pride of a win.

All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by WJHL. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by WJHL staff before being published.