Battle Ground Academy football players C.J. Beathard, left, and Reid Loeffel greet students at the Susan Gray School, beneficiary of the upcoming Vanderbilt Orthopaedics Clinic Bowl Kickoff Classic. (photo by Joe Howell)
Annual Clinic Bowl kicks off HS football season, raises funds
Battle Ground Academy and Franklin High School will square off Saturday, Aug. 21, in the Vanderbilt Orthopaedics Clinic Bowl Kickoff Classic.
The 60th annual game will get under way at 7 p.m. at BGA.
“Our schools are only a mile apart, and we played a really great game against each other last year,” said Chris Gunn, a senior at Franklin. “It's exciting that we're part of something really big. We're working out harder than ever and have a countdown to the game. We'll be ready.”
“We were evenly matched when we played last year, and are again this year,” said Cole Aycock, a junior at BGA. “But it's different because it's the Clinic Bowl. There is lots of hype about the game, and there will be a ton of people there to watch.”
Franklin High School’s Dalton Folks tosses the ball with a student at the Susan Gray School. (photo by Joe Howell)
A tailgate party will precede the game on BGA grounds from 4-7 p.m.
Legendary college football coach Bobby Bowden will be the guest speaker at the Clinic Bowl Kickoff Classic Community Dinner. Bowden, former head coach at Florida State University, led the team to two national championships and had 377 total wins in his coaching career before retiring in 2009.
The Community Dinner will be on Thursday, Aug. 19, at 6 p.m. at Lipscomb's Allen Arena. A silent auction begins at 5 p.m.
Tickets for the Community Dinner are $35 and can be purchased online at www.vanderbiltchildrens.org/clinicbowl.
Proceeds benefit the Susan Gray School, an inclusive early childhood program that serves children with and without disabilities.
For the third year, Vanderbilt Orthopaedics will present the Clinic Bowl, continuing its relationship with the Nashville Area Junior Chamber of Commerce, which has organized past games.
For more information, visit www.vanderbiltorthopedics.com/clinicbowl.