By Ashley Hargrove
Neither Athens nor East Limestone players have had to be reminded who their opponent is this week.
Both teams have had today’s date circled for a while. Judging by the sights and sounds that have filled the locker rooms and practice fields leading up to tonight, there’s been no question as to why.
The match up between the two 5A, Region 8 teams has arrived. Some call it Limestone County’s mini version of the Iron Bowl.
“We certainly didn’t have to remind them who we were playing this week,” East Limestone head coach Jeff Pugh said. “They’ve had a different tempo about them. It’s always a great atmosphere when the two teams meet, and that’s what we’re looking for. It’s good for high school football and it’s big for our communities.”
When Athens High head coach Allen Creasy joined the Golden Eagle coaching staff in 1996, the coach noted that Athens had rivalries like Decatur and Russellville, it just didn’t have any personal ones like Austin-Decatur or Lauderdale County-Lexington. And while the Athens-East Limestone rivalry is only 4-years-old on the field, Creasy said talk of it has been going on for quite some time.
“Until this was started, the kids didn’t have to interact on a daily basis,” Creasy said. “With this game, although it’s only been going on for four years, it’s been going on in coffee shops and places for years. When we were able to get it started, it became what we thought it would.”
Creasy added that it’s the outcome that makes the cross-town rivalry what it is.
“It’s an emotional game for both teams,” Creasy said. “The outcome carries over for 365 days, and for the seniors, it’s carried on the rest of their lives. That’s what makes this game so special.”
For Pugh and members of the East Limestone team, that has been the case. Last season, the Indians’ fell 34-3 at home.
“It’s been in the back of their minds and we’ve harped on it quite a bit this week,” Pugh said. “ The second half of last year’s game was a lot like last week for us. We’ve got to eliminate those mistakes. I think they’re focused and ready to play. We’ve been saying how we wanted to see how we would match up against other Region 8 teams and last week it didn’t go too well. We’ve got another huge task ahead of us with Athens, so we’ll see if we pass or fail this time.”
Kick off is set for 7 p.m. at Golden Eagle Stadium.
