STUART — The annual Martin Bowl that pits rivals Martin County and South Fork against each other in football has always been played for pride and bragging rights.

This year, a group other than the winning team stands to benefit.

Martin Bowl 28, which is being billed as the inaugural Martin Bowl Charity Football Game, will aid CASTLE, a local child abuse education and prevention organization that helps about 3,000 families each year on the Treasure Coast.

Tying the game to a local charity was an idea developed by South Fork athletic director Charlie Moody.

"I think in the end, I want to get South Fork tied into the community more than it has been," Moody said. "There are a lot of different ways to do it and this just jumped out at me."

Moody modeled the event after the Dollar for Scholars Football Classic which features the Vero Beach and Sebastian River football teams and raises scholarship money for Indian River County students. Moody, starting his second year at South Fork, worked and coached for many years at Vero.

"The intention is to make it an annual event," Moody said. "My communication with (Superintendent Nancy) Kline is that was the intention."

Moody said Martin County athletic director Greg Hendricks has supported the idea.

The Martin Bowl is always a much-anticipated event. Last year, Martin County beat South Fork, snapping a seven-game Bulldog win streak in the series. Martin County leads the series 14-13.

Although the teams played in the same district in recent years, they are in separate ones this year and the game will be played the opening week of the season.

Tickets, both general admission and VIP, can be purchased in advance at South Fork or at the district office. T-shirts will be available at both schools, black and red at South Fork and blue and gold at Martin County, as well as at the district office.

Tickets will also be available at the gate and T-shirts will be sold at the game.

Money from the VIP tickets, T-shirts and $2 from the general admission tickets will go to CASTLE. A flyer will be available with further information about helping CASTLE.

MARTIN BOWL 28

When: 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 2

Where: Joebud Staggs/Bulldog Stadium at South Fork

Cost: $8 for general admission; $25 for VIP tickets, which includes end-zone bleacher seats and a catered tailgate party before the game.

Charity: CASTLE, a non-profit agency offering parenting education via in-home counseling, monitored visitation and classes for first-time parents, parents going through a divorce and children experiencing confusion because of divorce. Serves the Treasure Coast and Okeechobee counties with a mission to improve the quality of family life and prevent child abuse and neglect. T-shirts designed for the game will also be sold to benefit CASTLE.