When it comes to the Andrew-Sandburg football rivalry, Sandburg has picked up most of the attention on the field, winning five out of six games.

But Friday night, Andrew will be getting the attention – at least off the field – in what promises to be an emotional evening.

Prior to the game, there will be cheers for Andrew’s refurbished field and a moment of silence for John Branham, an Andrew player who died in a one-vehicle accident June 15.

 After a summer filled with rain and a construction worker strike, there were doubts any of the District 230 football fields would be ready on time for Friday night’s opener. All three fields are having synthetic turf put in.

“I am pleased that Andrew’s stadium field will be ready,” District 230 Superintendent James Gay said. “The real gratification will come when all three stadium fields are complete.”

The sophomore game is slated for 5 p.m. The varsity coin toss is set for 6:45 p.m. There will be a moment of silence for Branham at 7 p.m. Before the 7:30 p.m. kickoff, Gay and school board representative Bob Nolting will address the crowd.

Even though Andrew opened in 1977, the two D230 schools only started facing each other in football in 2004. Last year, Sandburg won 26-7 in Orland Park. The last time the game was played at Andrew in 2008, Sandburg won a wild three-overtime contest, 33-27. The last time Andrew won was in 2007, with a 31-3 victory over the Eagles.

jvorva@tribune.com