TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - There is nothing like a high school football rivalry, and while Florida High and FAMU DRS are two very different teams this season, the rivalry is still very much alive, as the Noles and the Baby Rattlers hit the field Friday night for some DRS bragging rights.
The Florida High Seminoles are 2-0 on the year as they enter Friday's contest, and while the Noles are a little on the young side this year, they are steered by some big time names.
Head coach Jarrod Hickman attributes their early success to their great energy, and adds the young guys are really starting to develop. Of the game Friday? This one means a little bit more because of that rivalry.
"I played in this game for four years against those guys and it's always a big rivalry," he said at practice on Wednesday. "You have a lot of pride at stake, both good programs that have been around for a long time. They have a lot of big players, they have some really good receivers out there, so you know, we want to make sure we don't give them any momentum, don't give up big plays. On the offensive side of the ball, try to keep it away, and just take advantage of opportunities and not give anything easy."
The Baby Rattlers are 0-2 on the year, and while Florida High boasts a lot of older guys, FAMU is made up of mainly sophomores and freshmen. Chris Jackson is the receiver Coach Hickman is talking about, as the senior committed to Marshall last month.
FAMU DRS head coach Ira Reynolds said while the Baby Rattlers are young, he has seen a lot of improvement, and to get a win against the Noles, they'll have to be more consistent and execute better on the field.
"From week one to where we started practice to where we are now, I've seen the attitudes change and the guys relax a little bit. They're not so panicky about, hey, we're not winning!" he laughed. "I became acquainted with them back in 1993, that's a long time. It was a great rivalry, it's still a great rivalry, we're young, but we're putting together some things to help us win."
Friday's contest is at Bragg Memorial Stadium at 7:00.
