Week #1

Coffee County at Tullahoma

Tennessee

Known as the “Coffee Pot” game, this rivalry dates to 1926. Coffee County vs. Tullahoma played every year except for a two-year break during WWII. The rivalry began with the winning team tearing down the other team’s goalposts. Tullahoma leads the all-time series with 62 wins. Two schools only separated by 10 miles adds another level of intensity to a historic rivalry. Coffee County will be looking to bounce back after suffering a large defeat to Tullahoma last year.

Bluefield at Graham

West Virginia

“The Battle of the Bluefields” is not just a football game. It is a battle between state lines as well. This is one of the oldest and hotly contested rivalries in the country. Each year both communities come together to celebrate both communities. However, once game time hits, the community feeling is gone and now a level of competitiveness fills the air. Bluefield will look to take back the title this fall after suffering a 31-6 defeat at the hands of Graham.

Thomas Central at Thomasville

Georgia

Those around Thomasville, Georgia will tell you the Thomas Central vs. Thomasville game had its heyday in the 70s and 80s. Famous people played in this rivalry such as Eric Curry, Shawn Jones, Myron Guyton and Charlie Ward Jr. Thomas Central and Thomasville have a record of 9-6 favoring Thomas Central. Thomasville has been winning since 2020, nothing too dominant for Thomas Central to handle though with them winning recently too. The game will be super exciting and all in attendance will surely be happy to watch!

St. Rita at Mt. Carmel

Illinois

Two Chicago football powerhouses, one bitter rivalry. First going head-to-head in 1924, there has been no love lost between the St. Rita Mustangs and Mt. Carmel Caravan. Fans have seen everything in this almost decade-long series; from blowouts handed by both teams to a scoreless tie in 1936. The programs have combined for fifteen state championships, with the most recent going to Mt. Carmel in 2019. Last season’s game was one for the ages, with Mt. Carmel blocking a field goal and taking it 95 yards for a touchdown to take the lead with less than a minute left. This year’s game is sure to be another thriller, with Mt. Carmel aiming to keep the momentum from an exhilarating win, and St. Rita aiming to get their sweet revenge.