USC vs. UCLA. Duke vs. North Carolina. Both are cross-town rivalry games between fierce opponents.
Although the game between Athens and Alexander gets far less attention, there is no doubt the kids get pumped for this one.
“They know these kids, they go to school with these kids,” Alexander coach Sean Arno said. “I don’t have to break out the roster. They know their numbers, they know the kids.”
With only one loss between the two squads, successful play not only brings more fire to the field but also could have major Tri-Valley Conference Ohio Division implications.
Athens is coming off a 40-0 victory against conference foe Vinton County last week. As for Alexander, the Spartans fell Friday against Wellston. Athens coach Ryan Adams said Alexander’s loss presents a challenge, not relief, for the Bulldogs.
“It actually makes things tougher for us,” he said. “Alexander has their backs up against the wall, and they’re going to play like it’s a do-or-die situation.”
When it comes to defensive preparation for Alexander, it doesn’t take two guesses for the team to figure out whom to barricade: number five in green, DeVon Sharp.
“DeVon is going to be a kid that obviously is going to have to be stopped,” Arno said. “Football is such a damn fun sport because a single guy can’t destroy you but can be a huge impact in a game.”
Last year’s bout might also intensify the already highly anticipated game. Alexander defeated Athens by only a point when the Bulldogs missed an extra-point attempt and did not send the game into overtime.
Athens is off to its best start since 2009 and with a win, the Bulldogs would move to 8-0, the best start for the squad in recent memory.
The teams are in the middle of their most difficult games. Both will take on conference heavyweight Nelsonville-York within the next two weeks. With increasing difficulties, the key may be to stick with the same game plan.
“We have to deal with it just like we did with our non-conference schedule and how we’ve done it all along,” Adams said. “Look at what’s ahead and take it week by week.”
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