The Salina South Cougars defeated the Salina Central Mustangs Friday night at Salina Stadium. But the biggest winner may have been the Salina Area United Way, and the agencies it serves.

On a cold wet day, where over an inch of snow fell through early afternoon, fans lined up early outside the gates to be sure to get a good seat. Students from Salina Central were out in the parking lot by around 4:00 tailgating.

As fans began to file in they noticed something a little different near the end-zone on the south side of the stadium. The big red United Way letters that have been all over Salina recently were set up.

The student councils from both schools agreed to work together to raise money, and awareness, for the United Way. For every donation received, a streamer of the donor’s school color was attached to the letters.
By the end of the game the letters were be cloaked in maroon, green, white and gold, symbolizing the unity of the two schools.

While the two schools worked together off the field, it was all business on the field and in the stands as the rivals played their hearts out.

In the end, the high powered Salina South offense was too much for the Mustangs. Led by Mike Jones’s 6 touchdowns and nearly 300 yards rushing the Cougars prevailed 55 – 27. The win was the 3rd in a row for South in the annual battle for the Mayor’s Cup, the first time in 30 years that the green and gold has won 3 games in a row in the series.