WANNA BET? FRIENDLY WAGER BETWEEN FIRE DEPARTMENTS FOR FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
Tee Shirts and Bragging Rights On The Line

By Jon Mayhew

LINCOLNTON -- It's the Friday night football rivalry that everyone's talking about.

Friday night, the Lincolnton Wolves travel to East Lincoln High School to take on the East Lincoln Mustangs.

The Carolina Scoop learned Thursday morning that the fire departments from both Lincolnton and East Lincoln are getting in on the act, so to speak.

For about the past week, a sign outside the Lincolnton Fire Department has read "Go Wolves."

According to assistant chief Mitch Burgin, he and Matt Brown with the East Lincoln Fire Department have a friendly wager going.

"We've bet tee shirts versus tee shirts," said Burgin. "If East Lincoln wins Friday night, we'll have to wear East Lincoln Fire Department tee shirts on Monday. If we win, East Lincoln fire members have to wear Lincolnton Fire Department tee shirts Monday."

When asked for his opinion of the outcome, Burgin and fire fighter Mike Shrum smiled.

"I'm the only one that can wear an East Lincoln Fire Department tee shirt," said Shrum.

On Thursday, Coach Scott Cloninger said this will mark the 36th meeting between the Wolves and Mustangs.

"The record is 29-6," said Cloninger, adding team preparations are at a fever pitch.

Kickoff for the game at David Clark Stadium on the campus of East Lincoln High School is around 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The Carolina Scoop will provide up-to-the-minute football coverage with scores from games around the state.