SOUTH TALLAHASSEE, FL (WTXL) — Rickards High leads the all-time series and has won 6 straight; Godby High looks to restore the roar in week one.
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One of Tallahassee's biggest high school football rivalries is back. Rickards and Godby meet at Gene Cox Stadium to open the season, with bragging rights, history, and two of the area's top college recruits all on the line.
Rickards has won the last 6 meetings, including last year's comeback after erasing a 20-point second-half deficit. Despite that recent run, Godby still holds the edge in the all-time series.
This year's matchup also features two of the area's top recruits: Godby's 5-star Clemson commit Jamarin Sims and Rickards' Vanderbilt commit Davion Crumitie.
Godby's Head Coach John Holston said the game carries weight far beyond the scoreboard.
"To start with a big game like this, Rickards vs. Godby, the history, the rivalry, the north side vs. the south side. I think people having after-parties for the game already, so it's just a good feeling to be part of this and bring this excitement to the city," Holston said.
Holston said the Cougars are motivated to end their losing streak in the series.
"This is the biggest game of the season; it's a rivalry, we haven't won the last 6 of them, and we have an overall winning record, so it's a real pride thing going on. Got a lot of old Godby Cougars alum that they want to see this win come back, and we need to restore the roar, so that's what we're trying to do this week," Holston said.
Rickards' Head Coach Quintin Lewis said the streak gives his team something to protect.
"We all know each other, so there's bragging rights for the year. We happen to be lucky enough to have 6 straight, so trying to make it 7 this year," Lewis said.
Even with the attention surrounding the star players, both coaches say rivalry games are usually decided somewhere else — execution, discipline, and which team handles the emotions of opening night.
Lewis said his team knows it will take a complete effort.
"It's going to be tough for us offensively and defensively; we gotta come out and play our best game possible. They are coached very well, and so it's about us being able to execute, worry about what we can do, and do what we do well all the time," Lewis said.
One team will open the season with momentum and bragging rights. The other will spend the next year hearing about it.
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