85th Hatchet Game headed to Wichita
Wichita, Kan. (westernkansasnews.com)–On Thursday, the Wichita Wind Surge announced that the 85th Annual Hatchet game will take place Saturday, October 15, at Wichita’s Riverfront Stadium, home of Major League Baseball’s Class AA Wind Surge.
The announcement of the 2022 Hatchet game was announced in a joint release by Riverfront Stadium officials, Dodge City Athletic Director Jay Gifford and Garden City Athletic Director Drew Thon.
This year’s game will be the first time in the series that it will play played at a neutral site.
In a quote from Jordan Kobritz, Partner and CEO of the Wichita Wind Surge, “This is the second of what we hope will be a series of football games at Riverfront Stadium this year. The Garden City-Dodge City matchup will feature two long-time rivals from the western part of the state that each have a great following. It will also give local football enthusiasts another opportunity to watch high school football in Wichita in addition to the regular schedule of Friday night games played in the City.”
“I want to thank the entire leadership of Garden City and Dodge City, especially the two athletic directors and coaches for their willingness to play the game at Riverfront Stadium,”
From Dodge City AD Jay Gifford: “What an opportunity for Dodge City to showcase our football program, Pride of Southwest Kansas (DCHS Band), Drill Team, and Cheer program to the city of Wichita and state of Kansas! We were the first high school in Kansas to host a nationally televised game, our soccer program played in the first ever indoor soccer game, and now we are part of the first-ever series of high school football games to be played at Riverfront Stadium. We have a tradition of finding opportunities to showcase our many talented students. We are so excited to give our students this memory that will stay with them long after they graduate.”
Garden City AD Drew Thon: “The Hatchet Game is the most notable rivalry in the western part of the state and it’s great that we will be able to showcase this event at an amazing facility like Riverfront Stadium. The experience that it will provide for our students, community, and alumni will be second to none.”
Dodge City and Garden City played to double overtime in 2021 at Buffalo Stadium in Garden City, where the Red Demons rallied for a 36-29 victory. The Red Demons lead the all-time series 77-43-4, and hold a 52-31-1 advantage in the Hatchet series.
Kickoff at Riverfront Stadium October 15 will be at 6 pm.
