INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — There’s nothing like a little friendly rivalry to bring out the fans. An estimated 5,000 people crowded into the Sebastian River High School Sharks Stadium to cheer on their favorite teams as the Sebastian River Sharks and the Vero Beach Fighting Indians competed in the Dollars for Scholars Kickoff Classic Friday evening. More than 170 DFS supporters also attended the sold-out Dollars for Scholars VIP Pre-game BBQ Dinner under a big tent at the football field end zone. The BBQ VIP Dinner was sponsored by Seaside Construction and catered by Bono’s. The Dollars For Scholars Kickoff Classic began four years ago and last year raised more than $15,000 to benefit college-bound Indian River County students. DFS receives $2 from every ticket sold, and raises additional funds from the dinner. Dollars for Scholars, founded in 1965 by Dan K. Richardson and members of the Vero Beach Rotary Club, has distributed approximately $6.7 million in collage scholarships to more than 2,400 local students. The game’s excitement lasted until literally the very last minute as Shark’s quarterback Wesley Wilson passed the winning touchdown to Stephon Clark for a final score of 14 to 10. The teams, now tied at two games apiece, are already looking forward to next year’s competition.
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