One of the oldest and most balanced rivalries in the nation, Pisgah and Tuscola met on Friday for the 51st time (Tuscola 25 wins and Pisgah 24 and one tie). Both teams came into this game at 7-0 and ranked 25th and 26th respectively.

MVP

Chase Henson

Pisgah

SCHOLAR ATHLETES

Cole Nordiss

Pisgah

Cole is a 3-year Varsity Letterman in football. He is a member of the National Honor Society and Math Club and plans to attend the North Carolina State University to pursue a degree in Computer Science.

Josh Wilson

Tuscola

Joshua is a 3-year letterman for varsity basketball and a 2-year letterman in varsity football. Josh is member of the National Honor Society and President of the P.A.S.C.D at Pisgah. He plans to attend NC State to pursue a degree in Civil Engineering.

HALL OF FAME

Jody Mathis

Pisgah

Coach Jody Mathis is a 1991 graduate of Pisgah High School. He was an integral part of the Bears football program, playing Offensive Tackle and wearing number 77. Not only did Coach Mathis excel athletically, he also excelled in the classroom. He was an NC Scholar Athlete, member of the National Honor Society, and graduated with Honors, ranking number 7 in his class. After high school Jody accepted a preferred walk-on position at Western Carolina University. By his junior year Jody earned a full football scholarship and a starting position on the offensive line that he kept for the remainder of his college career. He graduated from WCU with a business degree, and is currently employed as the Inventory Manager at Evergreen Packaging. He is also an assistant coach on Pisgah’s football team, where he has been with the team since 2004. In 2012 Jody played in the inaugural Alumni football game, where he and his teammates easily handled the alumni from Tuscola by a score of 19-0. Coach Mathis has an enormous heart, and is dearly loved by all staff, faculty, and coaches at Pisgah High School. He loves nothing more than being called “Coach”, so be sure to call him that any time you see him.

Dennis Hefner

Tuscola

Coach Hefner coached at Tuscola for over 30 years and is loved and respected by both past and present players and fellow coaches. His primary coaching responsibility was as the defensive backs coach. During his tenure, the Mountaineers won the rivalry game 23 times. In addition to coaching football, he coached track and had the honor of coaching Tuscola’s only 2 time state champion. Coach Hefner was a valuable member of the faculty as both a teacher and a coach and is still a loyal supporter of the Mountaineers.

GAME SUMMARY

Tuscola started the game by scoring on their opening drive to lead 7-0 midway through the 2nd quarter and 10-3 at halftime. Scoring another TD early in the 3rd Quarter and leading by 10 midway through the 4th, Tuscola was heading to a most sought after win to start the season 8-0 and surely moving up in the state rankings. Pisgah sensing things were getting out of hand scored a TD with 3:30 left in the forth and recovered an onside kick to put the pressure back on Tuscola. With 25 seconds left in the 4th quarter, Pisgah kicked a field goal to send the game into overtime. Tuscola was first to try and score in overtime but fumbled giving Pisgah the opportunity to score with field goal or TD. On the second play in overtime, MVP Chase Henson scored on an end around to secure the victory. Pisgah 23, Tuscola 17. For the second straight year, this heated rivalry ended with a Pisgah win in overtime.