On Friday, Nov. 6, The Magnolia Bulldogs will take on the Magnolia West Mustangs, capping off the end of the season for both football teams and securing bragging rights for whichever team comes out victorious between the two rivals.

Last year, the Magnolia Bulldogs defeated the still-new Mustangs 40-14.

Mayor Jimmy Thornton was one of the trophy presenters at last year’s game – a role he will not reprise at this year’s game due to work obligations that have taken him out of state.

Thornton, who is an ’84 graduate of MHS, gave his best wishes to both schools, adding that the game is creating a lot of buzz in Magnolia.

“It’s the talk of the town,” he said. “There’s going to be a lot of people there. I feel sorry for whoever loses that game; they both had a pretty good year.”

As of press time last week, both schools touted the same 3-2 record in district play.

Both head coaches said they are looking forward to the season finale but were focused primarily on their respective Oct. 30 games when they spoke with the Tribune last week.

“You can’t look ahead,” said MHS head coach Andy Sexton. “We got a big task ahead of us in Brenham.”

He added that the rivalry game was “good for the city.”

“It’s a big game for the city,” he said. “The kids know each other. It’s going to be a tough game, both teams have similar records.”

Dave Joiner, head football coach at Magnolia West, said the team is eager for the re-match against its cross-town rival.

“We were embarrassed last year,” Joiner said. “Nobody takes too kindly to being scored on by 40 points. We certainly intend to provide a much more competitive game.”

If the Mustangs defeat Huntsville Oct. 30, a win against the Bulldogs could earn them a spot in the playoffs, Joiner said.

Results of the Huntsville game were not available as of press time last week.

The game is being promoted by the Magnolia Rotary Club, which is holding a fundraising spaghetti dinner at Magnolia High School just prior to the game.

T-shirts touting the upcoming matchup were created by Rotary to promote the special night, declaring the showdown the “Magnolia Bowl,” and banners promoting the event have been hung on Friendship Drive and at the intersection of FM 1488 and Buddy Riley Boulevard.

The Rotary Club held a contest for the design of the shirt between the two high schools, and winners from Magnolia and Magnolia West were chosen, with both designs used in the final outcome.

Winners were rewarded with a check from the Rotary club made out to their respective art departments.

Rotarian Deborah Rose Miller has been one of the driving forces behind the dinner and the t-shirts. She said anticipation for the upcoming game is growing.

“We’re getting a lot of excitement in the schools,” she said.

Miller said she and other community leaders want the Magnolia Bowl, spaghetti dinner and t-shirt design contest to be annual events in the city.

The money raised from the t-shirts and the dinner will benefit Rotary scholarship programs and community service projects.

“It all goes right back to the kids,” Miller said.

She added that Magnolia Bowl t-shirts can be purchased the day of the game or before by contacting her through e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The spaghetti dinner will be held just prior to the game at Magnolia High School from 5 to 7 p.m. Cost is $7 per plate, $5 for students.

The football game starts at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Nov.6 at MHS.

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