High School Rivalry Games and the Traditions Around Them
Why some high school games matter more than the standings, how rivalries form, what trophies and traditions surround them, and how schools keep the intensity friendly and safe.
Ask almost anyone who played high school football which game they remember most, and the answer is rarely the one with the best opponent on paper. It is usually the one against the school across town, the neighboring county or the team their older brother lost to. Those games are not important because of the playoff picture. They are important because the people watching them will have to live next to each other on Monday.
A rivalry game changes the feel of an entire week. Students paint windows, bands play the fight song a little louder, coaches stop talking about the standings and start talking about pride. The crowd is bigger and louder, former players show up in old jackets, and a trophy that may be an old bucket, a wooden bell or a painted piece of lumber sits on a table waiting for a winner.
This article explains how high school rivalries form, why they matter, what kinds of traditions surround them, how schools keep them safe and respectful, and what players, parents and fans should know. Rivalries are local by nature, so details vary a great deal from town to town. Where we describe a tradition, we describe the general kind, not any particular school's version.
How rivalries form
No one decides to create a rivalry. It grows out of circumstances, and usually several at once.
Geography
The most common source is distance, or the lack of it. Two schools in the same town, two towns in the same county or two communities that share a border see each other at the grocery store, the church, the workplace. Students may have played youth sports together, and then split into rival programs when they entered high school. The closer the schools, the more everyday conversation the game generates.
History
A long series builds its own story. After decades of meetings, a series develops memorable games, streaks, upsets and heartbreaks that families pass down. Former players remember scores, plays and moments. Those memories turn a regular game into something larger.
Competition for the same things
Schools that compete for the same conference title, playoff spot or regional recognition create tension. If one program's success has repeatedly cost the other a title, the competition becomes personal.
Community differences
Sometimes rivalries reflect differences in size, resources, economy or identity: a small-town school versus a larger neighbor, a public school versus a private school, or a school on one side of a river or highway versus the other. Fans should be careful, because these differences can lead to unkind comments. Good rivalries tend to avoid them.
Coaches and players
A single coach or an especially memorable class can intensify a rivalry for a time. Rivalries also change as schools open, merge, consolidate or move between conferences. Some fade; others emerge.
For a comparison with the college level, see our articles on rivalry games and trophies and the oldest rivalries in college football.
Why rivalries matter
Rivalry games do things that ordinary games do not.
- They bring out the community. Attendance is often higher, and people who rarely go to games show up.
- They give the season a focal point. Even a team that is struggling may count the rivalry as a chance to salvage the year.
- They build tradition. Rituals that repeat each year give students and alumni a shared identity.
- They connect generations. Parents and grandparents may have played in the same series.
- They raise stakes for players. Many players say that these are the games they remember most.
- They support local businesses. Restaurants, shops and civic groups often join in the fun with promotions or decorations.
At the same time, rivalries come with pressure, and schools have a responsibility to keep them healthy.
The trophy
Many rivalries have a traveling trophy, an object that the winner keeps until the next game. Some are formal, with a plaque listing winners. Others are humble and homemade.
Common types of trophies include:
- A bell, often because it can be rung after a win
- An axe, hatchet or saw, symbolizing "burying the hatchet" or cutting down the rival
- A bucket, milk can, jug or barrel, often tied to local agriculture or industry
- A boot, hat or jacket
- A painted rock, stump or plank, repainted by the winner
- A sign or plaque
- A flag or banner
Details differ widely. Trophies often tell a story about the community: the main industry, a historic event or a joke that became tradition. They are usually kept in a trophy case at the winning school until the next game, and some are presented in a ceremony on the field.
Traveling trophies are not required, and plenty of strong rivalries do not have one. The game itself is enough.
Traditions around the game
Rivalry week often has its own schedule of events. Not every school does all of these, and every school has its own twists.
Pep rallies
Pep rallies are bigger during rivalry week. The football team may be introduced with special music, the band may play the fight song repeatedly and student leaders may lead chants. In some schools, alumni or former players speak. The pep rally is also the place where schools can remind students about sportsmanship expectations.
Themes and dress days
Student sections often choose a theme for the game, such as a color-out, a blackout or a whiteout, in which everyone wears the same color. Themes unify the crowd and make the stands look striking. Schools usually coordinate to avoid conflicts, and visiting schools sometimes bring their own theme.
Decorations
Students decorate hallways, lockers, classroom doors and downtown storefronts. Schools set rules to keep decorations safe and respectful and to ensure they can be removed without damage.
Painting and signs
Some communities paint a rock, a bridge or a downtown street, or hang banners. These traditions may be organized by the school or by the community. Property owners' permission and local laws apply. Unauthorized painting or vandalism is a problem, and schools remind students that damaging property is not part of the tradition.
Parades, bonfires and gatherings
Rivalry week may include a parade, a bonfire or a community gathering. The details depend on local rules and weather.
Community meals and booster events
Booster clubs sometimes host a team dinner, a pasta night or a breakfast. Alumni groups may hold reunions. These events build support for the players and give the community a way to take part.
Pregame rituals
Teams may have their own rituals: a special entrance, a speech by a former player, an old jersey or a moment of silence for someone from the community. These traditions are personal to each team.
Alumni and former players
In many rivalries, former players attend, are introduced or participate in the coin toss. A tribute to a former coach or player may be part of the evening. Some schools hold reunions for championship teams or for players from a particular decade.
How the game is organized
A rivalry game has all the logistics of a normal game, with extra complexity.
- Venue. Home and away rotates in most series. A few communities share a stadium, particularly when two high schools in the same district use one facility. In those cases, the schools may alternate which team is considered the home team.
- Crowd. Attendance is higher, so schools plan for tickets, seating, parking, concessions and restrooms. Some schools sell tickets in advance or limit the number of visiting fans. Check the host school's website for the policy.
- Security. Rivalry games often bring extra security or police presence, and schools review their emergency plans. Our article on what the athletic director does on a Friday night explains this part of the job.
- Officials. Associations assign experienced officiating crews to important games. Officials prepare for the intensity and enforce sportsmanship rules.
- Bands and spirit groups. Both schools may bring bands and cheer squads, which means the halftime schedule must be coordinated.
- Media. Local newspapers, radio stations and online broadcasts may cover the game.
Sportsmanship and safety
Rivalry games demand good behavior from everyone.
For players and coaches
- Respect the opponent. Competing hard and respecting the other team are not opposites.
- Control emotions. Penalties such as unsportsmanlike conduct and personal fouls can cost a team the game.
- Avoid taunting. Many state associations have specific rules against taunting and celebrating in ways that demean opponents.
- Handshakes. Teams usually shake hands after the game. Do it sincerely.
- Social media. Posts can inflame tensions. Many schools have guidelines about what athletes may post.
For students
- Cheer for your team, not against theirs. Chants should be positive. Chants that target individual players, race, religion, disability or personal circumstances are never acceptable. Schools may remove students who violate these rules.
- Pranks. Pranks involving vandalism, theft or trespass can have serious consequences, including discipline and legal action. Schools generally discourage them.
- Respect visiting fans. Visitors are guests.
For parents and fans
- Model the behavior you want from the students. Adults who yell at officials or players set a bad example.
- Follow stadium rules. Policies on bags, alcohol and tobacco apply.
- Avoid confrontations. If someone is rude, tell security instead of escalating.
- Leave peacefully. Plan how and when to leave, and keep to designated paths.
State associations and schools often post sportsmanship statements, and many have programs to promote positive behavior at games. If a game becomes unsafe, officials, the athletic director and administrators can stop play, clear the stands or end the game under the state's rules.
The pressure on players
Players often feel extra pressure in rivalry games. They may be hearing from friends, neighbors and relatives who have strong opinions. Coaches can help by keeping the focus on preparation.
Some practical suggestions for players:
- Stick to your routine. The same meals, sleep schedule and pregame habits help.
- Prepare for the noise. The crowd will be louder. Practice communication.
- Stay on task. Focus on your assignment, not on the history.
- Win and lose with grace. A win is not a license to disrespect. A loss is not the end of the world.
- Ask for help. If pressure becomes overwhelming, talk to a coach, counselor or parent.
When rivalries end
Not all rivalries last. Schools change conferences, enrollment shifts and classifications are redrawn by state associations. Games are dropped when schools can no longer fit each other into their schedules, and sometimes after incidents in which behavior became a problem. Communities often feel the loss strongly.
Some rivalries return after years apart, and others are replaced by new ones. If a rivalry you care about is in danger, you can talk to the athletic director or school board about the schedule, though state association rules and conference structures limit what a school can do.
Beyond the football team
Rivalry is not only about the football team. Bands may compete in friendly "battle of the bands" events, spirit groups may organize their own contests and other sports teams may play their own rivalry games during the year. The more the whole school participates, the stronger the tradition. For more about those groups, see marching bands, cheer and dance teams.
How to follow a rivalry
If you are not from the area, or you are following a school at a distance, a few resources help.
- Check the schedule for the date and time, and the scores page for results when the game is played.
- Look at both schools' pages in the high school directory and the team pages for general information.
- Check local newspapers, school websites and booster clubs for series history, which is often kept informally. Records for old games may differ between sources, so confirm before repeating a number.
- Ask people who grew up there. The stories are the best part.
Starting or reviving a tradition
Schools that want to start a new rivalry tradition, or revive an old one, can do it responsibly.
- Involve both schools. A tradition only works if both communities agree.
- Choose a symbol. A trophy, a name for the game or a shared event can give the series an identity.
- Set expectations. Agree on sportsmanship standards, security and rules.
- Tell the story. Record scores, highlights and traditions so they are not lost.
- Be patient. Traditions grow over years, not weeks.
The short version
- Rivalries grow from geography, history, competition and community identity, and they change over time.
- Many include a traveling trophy, from bells and axes to buckets and painted rocks, but a trophy is not required.
- Traditions include pep rallies, color-out themes, decorations, parades and alumni involvement.
- Rivalry games need extra planning for crowds, security, officials and halftime performances.
- Sportsmanship matters: players, students and adults all share responsibility for keeping the intensity friendly.
- Pranks and vandalism are not part of the tradition and can have serious consequences.
- Players should keep their routines, focus on their assignments and handle wins and losses with respect.
- Confirm series records through the schools or local sources, and follow games on the scores page.