Kroger to donate $1,000 every Friday in 2022, Fort Worth-area teams featured in Week 1

Kroger will be at Boswell High School on Friday night to present a $1,000 check to both Boswell and Saginaw as part of its Football Game of the Week.

Kroger is celebrating Texas high school football with 50 Fan Zone events across Dallas-Fort Worth starting with this week’s season opener and running through the final regular season game on Nov. 4.

“How awesome for EMSISD to be taken care of that way and for them to pick Boswell-Saginaw out of all the games in the Metroplex, it’s truly an honor and it’s a tribute to both schools,” Boswell coach John Abenschan said “It’s also a tribute to our kids and we’re excited to showcase our fans, dance team, student body, teachers and administrators that helped create such a great atmosphere for us to play in.”

The Fan Zone truck will make a stop at one of its area stores for free outdoor events, featuring great food, games and prizes, followed by the football game. Throughout the season, Kroger will donate more than $50,000 in cash, gift cards and in-kind donations to area independent school districts.

“Nothing says fall in Texas like the start of the high school football season. This year is no exception with players, coaches, fans and Kroger ready to start the season,” said Keith Shoemaker, president, Kroger Dallas Division. “We are thrilled to bring back these uplifting ‘Fan Zone’ events to celebrate this long standing tradition with our communities, while also Feeding the Human Spirit for participating schools and their families.”

The first Fan Zone will take place this Friday at the Kroger’s 4750 W. Bailey-Boswell Road location in Fort Worth from 3-7 p.m. Saginaw and Boswell will kick off from Pioneer Stadium at 7 p.m.

This year’s edition of the Wagon Wheel is a first since the 2019 season, when Saginaw won 21-20.

Mike Peters makes his return to Saginaw after coaching at Fort Stockton. He and Abendschan also were assistants together at Boswell before Abendschan became head coach.

“There is many games in our district you get excited for like this one,” Abendschan said. “We haven’t played in the past two seasons. Saginaw won in 2019 and have held on to the wheel since. That brings in more anticipation and we’re excited to win it back.”

This story was originally published August 24, 2022 at 4:00 AM.