They are rivals on the football field, but off the field, they are looking to help hunger.

The Wynyard Bears are holding their 2nd Annual Friday Night Lights Classic against the Watrous Wildcats on Friday.

It is also the team's tackle hunger game, where they are encouraging fans to bring non-perishable food items to be donated to the Wynyard Food Bank.

"It's a way for two rival programs that have been supported for over 50 years to try and give back to the communities that have supported our programs for all these years," said Wynyard Head Coach Morris Sokul on why they hold the game.

The Bears are partnering up with a pair of community businesses to expand on the game.

Sofina Foods, who is a chicken processor in the community, is supplying employees to collect admission. They are also providing prizes for those who participate in bringing food items, according to Sokul.

"It is a joint venture with their organization to raise awareness that there is a need to bring in items for our food bank."

A barbecue with the Wynyard Co-op will help begin the night at 5:00pm. There will also be a junior football game between Wynyard and Watrous before the senior game, which starts at 7:00pm.

Horizon School Division Director of Education Kevin Garinger will conduct a ceremonial kickoff, with Stephanie Cuddington from the Wynyard Food Bank receiving the kick.

Sokul is expecting a closer contest than the last game between the two sides, which was a 45-14 win for the Bears.

"It's going to be a tougher battle. They were unfortunate to have two injuries to starters and so we are thinking it is going to be a much tighter battle this time around. Both teams are well coached."

The Bears enter the game with a 5-0 record, while the only setback for Watrous this season was the game against Wynyard.

Fans who bring a food item to the game will have a normal five dollar admission dropped to just two dollars. 

This is the third year the Bears have hosted the tackle hunger game, with 1,600 pounds of food and $700 dollars donated to the food bank in the two years prior.

You can hear more from Sokul below.