One of the most anticipated high-school football games of the year is coming up this Friday, when the Miller Buccaneers take on the Veterans Memorial Eagles.
Miller and Veterans Memorial are used to battling each other for district championships, but for the first time ever, they meet as non-district foes.
It's still a big game for both schools, though.
"Since I have been here, the past three years, it's always been a rivalry that I have known about," said Miller lineman Jabriel Joseph.
"We're excited,” said Miller lineman Anthony Allen. “This is probably going to be the most exciting game all year, besides calallen, coming up soon."
The Bucs are coming off their first loss of the year to Rockport-Fulton, so they will be extra fired-up for this one. But across the way at Vets Memorial, it's a whole different atmosphere.
"This Friday will be the first time our young men have seen game speed since the end of our last season," said Eagles Head Coach Cody Simper.
Which means Simper has a lot of evaluation still to do, and it starts Friday night.
His players are looking forward to a taste of some real game action and playing Miller makes it extra special.
“Obviously its bragging rights for the city, but it's our first game, so there could be a lot of mistakes,” said Veterans Memorial quarterback Carter Senterfitt. “And we are using it to clean up some mistakes before we get into district play."
"We have been here and played them, so I think we know about their game style and how they play,” said Eagles running back Joseph Meador. “So we are going to be ready and focus on how we play them."
"It's like a crosstown game, so it's going to be tough because both teams are very good”, said Miller’s Allen. “They are very physical and they have great athletes and we are very physical, too."