BY: Irma Mora (Gainesville, GA)
As far back as anyone can remember high school football teams have always had their arch rivals. Flowery Branch High School and Gainesville High School have said rivalry.
Although these two teams have a very intense rivalry, Friday night was the first time they went head-to-head since 2009.
The wait was worthwhile.
The pregame rivalry included a YouTube video where the Gainesville Red Elephants called out the Flowery Branch Falcons; the Gainesville rock was marked by the Falcons saying “Come to the Dark Side (the school’s student section)” and Flowery Branch student cars were painted by the Red Elephants.
The rivalry even reached politicians. Both cities’ mayors placed a bet stipulating that the losing school’s mayor would have to wear the opposing team’s sweatshirt to the next council meeting.
This was all in good fun mounting anticipation to a gut wrenching, nail-biting game.
The game was not only a guarantee of bragging rights for the year but the Regional Championship Title was also on the line along with the Marine Corps Great American Rivalry Series Title.
There’s nothing like two trophies in addition to bragging rights to fuel a friendly rivalry.
The game went on without incident despite full stadium. In the end, a game is just a game and it should be enjoyed as such.
This match had a final score of 35-34 with the Falcons walking away with the titles and the bragging rights putting a temporary end to the rivalry.
A healthy rivalry is always good and these two schools are setting the example for rivalry without violence.
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