1. History. How long have the two schools played against each other falls into this category. It may not be the most important, but it's an absolute factor I'm using in my ranking.
2. Close games played in said rivalry, region titles, state championships, key moments.
3. Bad blood. Yes, in high school football you never want to see it, but it is a factor into building a true, strong rivalry.
4. Proximity, relationships. Obviously this is a factor due to familiarities, youth football, grade schools, church, etc.
Before I get to my list, here's some fun facts about football rivalries.
DID YOU KNOW?
Six years after the first ever collegiate football game, two Connecticut high schools started the longest high school football rivalry in history: Norwich Free Academy and New London High School. Ulysses S. Grant was president. It started on May 12, 1875, and it hasn't been continuous. My broadcast partner Reggie Eccleston played at New London High School, he tells me they are the Whalers. However, he played much later than 1875. THAT's a rivalry.
In Arizona, upon in depth research, the oldest football rivalry is the St. Johns Redskins vs. the Round Valley Elks that dates back to pre-statehood, 1904. The two teams haven't missed a year yet. More on this one later and yes this makes the top ten. The second oldest is the Douglas Bulldogs vs. the Bisbee Pumas. They started to play in 1906.
So let's start my list of my top-ten high school football rivalries.
In no particular order. Let's get the first two out of the way since I already mentioned it.
St. Johns Redskins vs. Round Valley Elks. So I found a couple of blogs that others did a deep dive into this. I have always thought this rivalry started in the 1920s. I found that the game between the two schools started in 1904, which makes it not only the oldest rivalry in Arizona, but also the oldest continuous rivalry. They've played at least once a season, sometimes twice. The two schools are about 30 miles apart and most times pits cousins vs. cousins. Bad blood? Oh you'll find it here. In 1988 the game was stopped late in the third quarter after a bench clearing brawl that had both sidelines cleared and church leaders pulling players off piles. There have also been almost fights between coaches. The days leading up the game pranks were played between each other. Playoff chances were on the line, region titles, over the more than 100 years this game has had it all. Now, since I played in this game I am bias and think this is the best, but who am I to say it is or not. But I consider it one of the best.
Douglas Bulldogs vs. Bisbee Pumas. This is the second oldest rivalry, only by two years. They play for the Copper Pick, due to the mining tradition in the area. It's been the trophy since 1945. The two schools stopped playing for a while after Douglas mounted a big winning streak over Bisbee, with the Pumas dropping to 2A. About ten years ago, the rivalry was renewed and people say the game has become bigger than each school's homecoming game.
Chandler Wolves vs. Hamilton Huskies. The Battle of Arizona Avenue has rose quickly to be known as one of the best in the state and nation. Why? Well the history isn't too deep, just 22 years, but man oh man it has memories. This game has been played for many region titles and sometimes again for state titles. The rivalry was initially owned by Hamilton, winning the first 17 games since the game began in 1999. Chandler has won the last nine games between the two teams. This game has made superstars out of players and has seen plenty of bad blood between the two schools. If you haven't seen a Chandler-Hamilton game, do yourself a favor and put it on your sports bucket list.
Show Low Cougars vs. Blue Ridge Yellow Jackets. This, in my opinion, is the small school Chandler-Hamilton. Again, many region titles have been decided between the two schools and thousands have attended this game year in and year out. There was a time in the 2000s where either Blue Ridge or Show Low won four of five 3A state titles and many times both teams came into the game unbeaten. Again, families have been involved in this one, with close friendships are pushed aside for one night.
Globe Tigers vs. Miami Vandals - This rivalry started in 1923 but a Globe historian says the game was vetoed in the coming years because the outcome of the game resulted to gang fights and vandalism, so the governing boards of both schools put the game on ice. The rivalry officially started in 1927 and the two teams haven't missed a game since. In 1947, the teams started playing for the Copper Kettle. The trophy is made from pure copper and mixed together from the three major Miami mines at the time. Globe leads the all-time series.
St. Mary's Knights vs. Brophy Broncos - The two teams have played each other 56 games over the years. They took nine seasons off until rekindling the rivalry this year, with Brophy winning 49-0. Brophy has won the last three meetings, however St. Mary's leads the all-time series 30-26. Brophy has won 12 of the last 14 games, however St. Mary's won 16 straight from 1980 through 1995. In the early years of the rivalry, games at Phoenix College would routinely draw thousands of people for the game. It was once thought to be THE rivalry in Phoenix when it came to high school football.
Chaparral Firebirds vs. Saguaro Sabercats - One can argue there has been no rivalry in the state with more trash talking, high energy and great football over the years like Chaparral versus Saguaro. The rivalry began in 1973. Some of the years, the rivalry began in the media with coaches and players trading shots in the papers and online. Great players have played in this rivalry, players that would have great college and pro football careers.
Mountain View Toros vs, Red Mountain Lions - The Battle Of Brown Road. If your rivalry has a name, it means there's some history involved. The Toros won 11 straight games against Red Mountain before the Lions won their first-ever game against Mountain View, 34-18 in 2000. That year, the Lions would knock off the Toros again in the playoffs.
Cactus Cobras vs. Peoria Panthers - The rivalry began in 1978 with a Peoria 26-0 win over Cactus. In my opinion, this has been the best rivalry in the Phoenix area. The game has had everything. High scores, last second scored. Ironically didn't find a ton of history with this one, and since I'm rushing to get this done, I may add some more later, but it's always been a favorite of mine.
Mountain Pointe Pride vs. Desert Vista Thunder - Another rivalry with a great name, The Ahwatukee Bowl. To teams over time that have been very good, pretty much year after year. 2021 is the 25th year of the game between the two East Valley schools. There have been very few years where either team, or both, aren't in the playoff hunt. The game is one of the most attended high school football games of the year. I've been to a few of these games and you have to plan ahead to get a seat. One year I got to Desert Vista at 5 p.m. for a 7 p.m. game and I was the last one in to the parking lot just west of the stadium. The series is tied at 12 apiece heading into this year's game. This is another bucket list game for sports fans. Just an awesome atmosphere and most years it's a great game.
Honorable Mention: Holbrook vs. Winslow, Flagstaff vs. Coconino, Prescott vs. Bradshaw Mountain, Mogollon vs. Joseph City, St. David vs. Valley Union, Salpointe Catholic vs. Canyon del Oro, Safford vs. Thatcher, Wilcox vs. Benson.
Again, we all have our favorites and are connected to them many different ways. Some not mentioned are new rivalries that could bloom into great ones. We may have to modify the list in the coming years. Thanks for reading. It was fun researching this.
Dave
