Several Orange County and Osceola County football teams border I-4. Starting this year, three from each county will take the field to see who is better on three successive Thursday nights, starting August 29. The Outback Steakhouse “Battle for I-4” is sponsored by The Outback Steakhouse® and Florida Hospital Sports Medicine Celebration/Kissimmee.
The football frenzy kicks off Thursday, August 29, 2013 when Osceola High School visits Freedom High School for Game 1 in the 2013 series. Tickets sell for $6.00 at the gate or in advance at each school’s athletic ticket office. The schedule is as follows:
· August 29, 2013
Osceola at Freedom, 7 p.m.
· September 5, 2013
Oak Ridge at Gateway, 7 p.m.
· September 12, 2013
Cypress Creek at St. Cloud, 7 p.m.
Orange County Public Schools District Athletic Director Matthew Fitzpatrick said, “The Outback Steakhouse “Battle for I-4” football series is an exciting new addition to our local football schedules. It is an opportunity for local fans from both Orange and Osceola counties to come out and see a game on a Thursday night and get an idea how their county measures up against their neighbors. Local high school football fans who can’t get enough can attend these games on Thursday night, and then their own school’s game on Friday night, which is a neat opportunity! I hope to see the series grow, much like a Big Ten vs. ACC Challenge at the college level, where we can keep score and declare Orange or Osceola County the winner each year.”
“We are extremely pleased that Osceola and Orange counties have the opportunity to showcase their schools, programs, and student athletes. This is a great way to continue our rivalries while providing our students with a championship atmosphere,” said Osceola County Athletic Director Ryan Adams.
Bright House Sports Network will televise the Thursday night games. Thanks to the sponsorship of Outback Steakhouse® and Florida Hospital Sports Medicine Celebration/Kissimmee each school will receive $1,000 for their appearance in the “Battle for I-4.”
Make it your Thursday night football game August 29, September 5, and September 12!
