The 102nd meeting of the Battle of the Cats awaits us as the Ada Cougars hosts the Ardmore Tigers

ADA, Okla. (KTEN) - The 102nd meeting of the Battle of the Cats awaits us as the Ada Cougars hosts the Ardmore Tigers Friday!

Although it may be non-district play, these two teams understand the importance of this matchup, especially as they strive to become the big cat.

"It is a storied rivalry in the state; it is one you have to get up for every year. You know, as a coaching staff, as players, it’s one you circle on the calendar. Coach Newby does a great job with his guys down there. So you know we’re going to get their best and their going to get ours as well.” Ada Head Coach Wade Boyles said.

“Ada has a great football team, great tradition. We know about their tradition. It’s good for high school football in the state of Oklahoma, you know starting the season off like this. I think it gets both squads' attention.” Ardmore Head Coach Josh Newby said.

Ardmore snapped Ada’s two-year win streak last season with a 42-18 victory. Whether it's getting revenge or sneaking back into the win column. A triumph in the Battle of the Cats series is the goal for both teams every year. 

“We’ve been doing this since we were like in seventh grade. I mean, going into our senior year, our last time playing Ardmore. It means a lot, and hopefully we can bring back home the W.” Ada Senior Kelton Stipe said.

More from this section

Missouri’s defensive front must set tone to slow Kansas offense

Hastings College optimistic heading into home opener after Week One rushing success

Southeastern set on breaking past five-win mark

“It would be our first win this year. And I think that it would be a big win for us, and it would give us some momentum to go onto the next game.” Ardmore Matthew Felder said.

Head Coach Wade Boyles enters his second year leading the Cougs, and now the rivalry means a little extra. As Head Coach Josh Newby and Boyles grew up in the same town, and were coached by Newby’s Dad on the same football team. 

“I’ll tell you what, they are well-coached. They won their district championship last year. He’s doing an amazing job there, but for 48 minutes, you know, we go at it, but after that, we’re friends.” Newby said.

“There pretty fortunate to have him. There’s a lot of respect there between the two of us. You know, we’re not afraid to look each other in the eye and tell ‘em that we love each other when the game's over.” Boyles said.

The two meet at Ada’s place for this heated battle. The Tigers are eyeing road kill while the Cougars hope it's some good ole home cooking.