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One of the best high school rivalry games in the nation, the Tuscola and Pisgah game in Waynesville, NC always delivers the fans excitement and tradition that exemplifies what Friday night football is all about. With the Bears taking home wins the past two years, the gap in the rivalry history grows even larger.

MVP

Cain Early
Pisgah High School

SCHOLAR ATHLETES

John Eric Francis

Tuscola High School

John Eric is a 3 year letterman on both the Varsity Football team and Track. He is a member of the National Honor Society, a junior leader in the Haywood County 4-H Livestock Club, a member of the National Junior Angus Association and volunteers in many community service activities. He began showing and judging livestock at the age of 5 and has received many top honors and recognition through the years. He plans to pursue a degree in Engineering.
Eric Robinson

Pisgah High School

Eric has played football for 11 years. When not on the field Eric commits his time to academic excellence. He has participated in honors and AP courses all four years of high school and currently has a 4.17 GPA. He has been an all-conference player and wants to attend NC State for Engineering in the fall.

GAME SUMMARY

Pisgah's winning streak over Haywood County rival Tuscola was extended to seven straight as the Black Bears defeated the Mountaineers 14-0 behind a 155-yard, two touchdown performance from junior running back and Great American Rivalry Series MVP presented by Bojangles, Cain Early at C.E. Weatherby Stadium. The win pushes Pisgah's all-time series lead over Tuscola to 29-26-1 and equals its largest win streak over the Mountaineers in the game's 56-year history. After an injury to Pisgah junior running back Levi Cagle last week, it was Early - normally a wide receiver - who stepped up big for the Black Bears. He put Pisgah on the board first on a four-yard touchdown run with 8:41 left in the second quarter and extended the lead with another 13-yard touchdown run with 7:14 left in the game. More offense came from Pisgah junior quarterback Korey Griffith who completed 11-of-16 passes for 137 yards, including seven catches from senior Ryan Reynolds, who finished with 83 reception yards. The Black Bears defense also stepped up in this rivalry game holding the Mountaineers to under 100 total yards of offense and held them scoreless for the first time in the series since 2002.