Rival Team?

Rival Teams....
Every team in every sport has one and those make some of the best games. I lived in a town that 2 of the schools has a bitter, hatred towards one another- it was such an unhealthy rivalry between the two schools, that it was almost immature and the main issue was the parents, not the students!

What is a Sports Rival by definition?
an intense competition between athletic teams or athletes. The pressure of competition is felt by players, coaches and management, but it perhaps felt strongest by the fans.The intensity of the rivalry varies from a friendly competition on one end to serious violence on the other that, in one case (the Football War), was suggested to have led to military conflict. Team owners typically encourage rivalries as they tend to improve game attendance and television ratings for rivalry matches, but a rivalry that gets out of control can lead to fighting, hooliganism, and rioting. Often the topic of sports rivalries is as heated and controversial as politics and religion.

Some of the biggest Rivalries in High School Football are:
1) Odessa Permian and Odessa High School
2) Euless Trinity and Southlake Carroll
3) Rider High School and Wichita Falls High School

(this list will grow as you guys comment)


Here are my picks for who will be rivals in our District

1)Rouse vs. Vandergrift-This might be the obvious rivalry in our district seeing that we are both going to be a 3 year program and with the only teams playing a Varsity Schedule with Sophomores and Juniors, we are the most evenly matched. We played 2 really great games against each other this year, each winning a game. The next time we meet again, it very well could be for a playoff spot. I think that definitely makes us Rivals- and hungry ones at that.

2)Rouse vs. Cedar Park-This might not even cross your minds, but in my own head, this is going to be a definite rivalry team for the Raiders and the Timberwolves, and maybe not so much for the students as it will be for the Coaches of each School.
Raider Coaches: Josh Mann, Tony Cooper, Steve Walker, Darrell Knight and Cory Elrod have all coached with
Timberwolve Coaches: Chris Ross, Michael Quintero, Carl Abseck, Brent Brittain,
OH and lets not forget that our very own Paul Cochran will be coaching AGAINST his own father (Connie Cochran) in not only football, but baseball too!

Poor Miss Kathy, I would stay home- imagine having to cheer either FOR or AGAINST your own husband or son! Talk about a deli ma!

This might not be a HEATED rivalry, but there will be some intense feelings on the Field and in the stands as well!

3)Cedar Park and Lake Travis-
This, in my opinion will be heated. Cedar Park will try for redemption for this past year and Lake Travis will try to hold onto its winning streak. Cedar Parks linebacker, is the grandson of the Lake Travis Athletic Director and not to mention that Cedar Park is going to try and hang onto its District Title (even though they will be in a different district)

4)Rouse vs. Vista Ridge-
Battle of 1431 as we have nicknamed it
Vista is coming off a decent 2009 record and Rouse is hungry. Some of our players have brothers and sisters still at Vista and vice versa. I believe that we will be battling it out on the Field at the very last game of the season both going for the
3rd spot in District, the other getting 4th place.

5)Cedar Park vs. Vista Ridge-
Same issue- battle of Buttercup Creek maybe? Not sure, but I know this will be a great game. Vista fell to Cedar Park last year, but just barely and they had me scared that they would beat my Timberwolves. I was amazed at how Vista improved over the season and they can only get better. This is going to be a GREAT game and one that might be more evenly matched than it ever has before.


What are your thoughts? Go Vote on the Poll on who OUR major rival will be and leave some comments- you can do it anonymously if you prefer- but please be respectful- we have friends at all the schools!!