Coming Home

Bill Revis was the head coach of the Bryant Hornets when the rivalry with the Benton Panthers began back in 1974. For him, bringing the game back to Saline County feels like putting on your favorite pair of boots. Comfortable. Familiar. Home.

“Playing at Home is just a different feel…. The comfort, the home fans, the home cheer and band. The atmosphere at your own place just hits different.”

And now, the game is returning to its roots.

Earlier this year, the decision was made to move the game, historically one of the most attended high school football games in Arkansas, back to Saline County from War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. The change brings a new set of challenges for the rivalry.

Benton School Superintendent Dr. Chris Nail began his new position recently and faced the schedule change and all its accompanying logistics.

“While I was not involved in the decision to move the Salt Bowl back to Saline County, as my official start date as superintendent is July 1, 2025, I understand that the rationale behind the change centered around safety. In recent years, there have been several safety-related concerns at War Memorial Stadium, and bringing the game back to our local campuses was a proactive measure to better control the environment and ensure a secure setting for students, families, and fans.”

One central focus was how to accommodate the Bowl’s attendance numbers, which often rise above 20,000 people.

“We are working closely with our facilities team and local officials to maximize the available space. Temporary seating will be brought in and placed in the end zones and on the track to increase the overall stadium capacity. Our goal is to accommodate as many fans as possible while still maintaining a safe and enjoyable environment for everyone in attendance.”

Another area of focus was ticket pricing. 

“While ticket pricing has not yet been formally approved, I believe the current plan is to set general admission tickets at $15. For comparison, tickets at War Memorial Stadium were $10, but fans also had to pay for parking. At Benton, there are currently no plans to charge for parking, which we hope will make the experience more accessible for families.”

A fan favorite of the Salt Bowl games held at War Memorial are the pre-game tailgating area and the halftime activities. Dr. Nail reports that discussions for both areas are ongoing.

“We plan to continue many of the traditional pregame elements that have made the Salt Bowl special. Sponsors and community organizations will be accommodated in the athletic complex area, allowing them to continue engaging with fans before kickoff. The week leading up to the game will include the traditional Everett pep rallies for both schools, a joint press conference, the peanut butter drive, and the blood drive—all signature elements of Salt Bowl week.

“As for halftime, we are making a few adjustments due to space and time limitations. The home team will have its full halftime showcase, including the band, cheerleaders, and pep steppers. The visiting team will not perform at halftime this year. Additionally, each year the home team will select and recognize a community member for a special award during halftime. This year, we will honor a Benton community member with that distinction.”

“While pee wee football teams from both Benton and Bryant will not be able to participate on Salt Bowl night, the reason is not time constraints, but rather stadium capacity. With the smaller venue, we simply do not have space to accommodate those students and their families safely. To ensure those young athletes are still celebrated, Coach Bridges, our district athletic director, is organizing a separate Pee Wee football night later in the season.”

Dr. Nail continues to work toward a smooth transition back to Saline County, saying, “Our primary focus is creating an environment that allows our student-athletes to compete at a high level while feeling supported and safe. We are actively meeting with both the Salt Bowl Committee and internal planning teams to prepare for all aspects of the event. While the venue has changed, our approach remains grounded in coordination, safety, and student-centered celebration. Logistically, there will be some tweaks, but our commitment to excellence in preparation and execution remains the same.”

For Coach Revis, there are other differences between when it began and where it is now. “There was not any social media. No streaming. No cell phones. You would play on Friday and move on. There was not much of a build-up hype.” 

Another change he has seen is the outcome of the games recently. “Benton had all the advantages early on. Bryant was a small district. We would play most of our players both ways, whereas Benton had the depth to two-platoon. I can recall staying competitive in the 1st half, but as the game progressed, we would just wear down.”

One thing is certain. Whether a person be old school or new school, moving the game back to its roots is a welcome change. It’s like they say: everything old is new again.