Elkhart rivals gear up for final Battle for the Mangy Lion

ELKHART, Ind. - While the high school football season's opening weekend brings the beginning of many journeys and storylines, Friday also marks the closing of an important chapter in Elkhart high school sports.

The 2019 meeting between Central and Memorial will be the final Battle for the Mangy Lion.

The Blazers and Chargers will meet at Central's Rice Field to play the last installment of their decades long cross-town rivalry. The game also begins what will be the final season for each of these teams before the two schools merge. That means this game, and this season, mean as much as ever to the coaches and players.

Watch the video above for a preview of the Mangy Lion matchup, our Game of the Week on ABC57 Friday Night Football!