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Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Take 10: Georgia’s finest statewide high school football rivalries
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Isn’t there something special about a good rivalry? We at Take Ten understand this just like you. We get excited every time we face Todd Holcomb’s Poll Talk in the Battle of the Blogs.
Sadly, we’re losing that matchup 173-1. (One week, Todd had the flu.) But we still feel the same passion you probably do when your favorite team is facing [insert hated school here].
Last fall, we examined the top football rivalries in the Metro Atlanta area. This year, we decided to take a look at the top matchups in the state. Some of them just happen to be playing this week.
Photos: Check out our AJC archival shots of the top 10 rivalries!
Here are your top 10 high school football rivalries:
10: McEachern-Harrison — Welcome to the next generation of one of the best rivalries of the last decade or so. Both schools are under first-year head coaches. Both schools lost legends to retirement. Both schools have set the bar for Cobb County football. Oh, and the series is tied. That’s what we call a good rivalry.
Series record: Tied 7-7
Last game: Harrison 40-6 (Nov. 2, 2007)
9. Clarke Central-Cedar Shoals — This matchup was so good the two teams played twice in 2006. The Gladiators won both games that year. Cedar Shoals got its revenge last season, and the two will play Friday at the Jungle.
Series record: Clarke Central 26-15
Last game: Cedar Shoals 27-14 (Sept. 7, 2007)
8: Carver (Columbus)-Spencer — This isn’t a matchup that screams even playing field. We’ve never been, but we’ve heard the experience of watching the two high schools play in Columbus is something special. Sometimes records aren’t as important as atmosphere.
Series record: Carver 31-8-1
Last game: Carver 31-0 (Aug. 29)
7: Roswell-Milton — There’s a bit of history to this game. Aside being one of the oldest rivalries in the metro-Atlanta area, there is genuine hate here. There was a fight between fans of the two programs in 1963. The series was halted and didn’t resume against until 1970. When the spectacle off the field is as good as the one on it, that’s a good rivalry.
Series record: Roswell 32-20-1
Last game: Roswell 45-0 (Oct. 26, 2007)
6: Lincoln County-Washington-Wilkes — This game has been so good some of the participants have even changed names. Lincoln County was once Lincolnton High, and the school has a sizeable advantage in the series lead. But the game dates back to 1945, which is impressive. The Red Devils also won the 2005 state crown against Wilkes.
Series record: Lincolnton/Lincoln Co. 33-23-4
Last game: Lincoln Co. 14-6 (Oct. 17)
5: Northside (WR)-Warner Robins — OK, so it has to be difficult sharing the same stadium. It surely does nothing to make the Eagles and Demons like each other any more. Northside has been the better team of late, winning eight of the last 10, but Warner Robins holds the series lead.
Series record: Warner Robins 32-18
Last game: Northside 34-7 (Sept. 7, 2007)
4: Marist-Tucker — Think this season didn’t feel good for the War Eagles? Marist snapped a four-game losing streak to the Tigers. Tucker is the only program to have beaten Marist four consecutive times in the past 32 years.
Series record: Tucker 10-7
Last game: Marist 38-0 (Sept. 26)
3: Parkview-Brookwood — Neighborhood rivalries are always the best in our book. It doesn’t hurt when the coaches of the two teams happen to have been former high school teammates. The series began in 1982 and settled the 2002 state title with a 28-7 Parkview victory.
Series record: Brookwood 16-10
Last game: Brookwood 16-3 (Nov. 9, 2007)
2: Charlton County-Clinch County — The Swamp Bowl is the definition of even. The series has belonged to the Indians of late. Charlton County has won six in a row with the Panthers last victory coming in 2002 (14-12). Four of these games have been decided by 10 points or less, and both schools have three state championships to their credit.
Series record: Charlton Co. 24-22-1
Last game: Charlton Co. 24-7 (Aug. 29)
1: Lowndes-Valdosta — Surprised? No, we didn’t think so. The statistics don’t lie. The series started in 1968. These two teams have combined for 14 state championships since then, and in 13 of those 14 seasons, the winner of the showdown usually won a state crown as well. We think that stat is safe this season as well. The Vikings have taken eight of the last 10.
Series record: Valdosta 33-14
Last game: Lowndes 14-7 (Oct. 10)
Go on. Take Ten. What are the best high school football rivalries? Is there someone that is worthy of your hate, stealing a team mascot or burning anything of that general color? What did we miss? Here’s your chance to voice your opinion. Let us know.
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