RIO GRANDE — Gallia Academy and Ohio Valley Christian have an intense soccer rivalry as it is. How can it be made even better?

First you make it prime time, under the lights, and then give them something more to play for than just city bragging rights.

All those ingredients will come together Thursday at Evan Davis Field in Rio Grande when the two Gallipolis schools meet for the second and final time this season. The Holzer Cup, a brand new traveling trophy, will be unveiled and on the line.

Kickoff for the inaugural battle for the Cup will be 7 p.m.

“We’re usually pretty competitive with each other, and we just thought maybe a city cup would be a good idea,” explained Ohio Valley Christian coach Jeff Patrick, “and if we could find a sponsor, that we would do that.”

And Holzer Clinic and Holzer Medical Center were the ones that stepped up to make it happen. “The Clinic and the Hospital are combining to do that,” Patrick said. “They both helped fund that and we are glad that done that for us.”

The idea was born during a coaches dinner hosted by Nick Robinson of Holzer Medical Center. Gallia Academy coach Hadyn Jones, who hails from Wales, came up with the idea for the traveling trophy.

Rivalries and playing for trophies were the norm in Jones’ native land.

“I’m used to, back home in Wales, where we have rivalries,” he said. “I think its unique we have two teams in Gallipolis.

“It adds to the competition. It’s always been a good rivalry, this will just raise the awareness of the game and raise the competition.”

The annual battle for the Holzer Cup will be held at the University of Rio Grande. The teams will alternate which team is considered the host. Ohio Valley Christian will be Thursday’s home squad.

Gallia Academy has owned an advantage in the series in recent years and won this season’s first meeting 4-1 behind a trio of goals by Seth Lyles.