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With the high school football season quickly approaching, fans all over the country eagerly anticipate the return Friday nights in the fall.
While there will undoubtedly be massive matchups all over, no games traction more steam than those pitting archrivals against one another.
Every state has its number of great rivalries but what rivalry stands out above the rest?
Going region by region, USA TODAY Sports will take a look at each state and pick out the best high school football rivalry in each state based on that series’ history.
Up first, we’re taking a look at the heart of the country with all of the states in the Midwest.
Series: West Aurora leads 67-48-12
Better known as the "War on the Fox," the Tomcats and Blackhawks first met on the gridiron on November 18, 1893. The series was tied up in 2000 with both teams winning 48 games apiece. It's been all West Aurora since though with the Blackhawks winning 19 consecutive games.
The rivalry took a break from 2019-2023 due to conference realignment but resumed in 2024 following immense public demand to make it a non-conference game.
Honorable Mentions: Batavia vs. Geneva; Hyde Park vs. Englewood; Mount Carmel vs. Saint Rita
Series: Warren Central leads 60-38-3
Known as "The Circle City Showdown," this game features Eastside and Westside heavyweights on a yearly basis. The Giants and Warriors have combined to win 19 state championships, a national championship and produced numerous NFL players.
The two schools first met on the field in 1937 and recently passed the 100-game mark between regular season and playoff meetings. Warren Central has won five of the last six meetings.
Honorable Mentions: Carmel vs. Center Grove; Evansville Reitz vs. Evansville Mater Dei; Fishers vs. Hamilton Southeastern,
Series: Dowling Catholic leads 33-20
Nearly 10,000 come out for whenever the Maroons and Tigers get together. Not only is it a great regular season matchup, but it's one of the best postseason games in the state as well.
Dowling Catholic holds the postseason advantage as well by a margin of 13-11. Since 2000, the two programs have combined to win 15 state championships. Last season, Dowling Catholic avenged a one-point Week 1 loss to the Tigers by beating them 14-10 in the state semifinals en route to another state title.
Honorable Mentions: Ankeny vs. Ankeny Centennial; Iowa City High vs. Iowa City West; Oskaloosa vs. Ottumwa
Series: Trinity leads 52-41-2
In 1956, two of Kentucky’s premier private schools squared off for the first time. That rivalry would turn into one of the nation’s best with more than 35,000 annually attending L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium in Louisville for the most-attended annual regular-season high school football game in the country.
The Shamrocks and Tigers are the state’s two winningest programs, combining for 41 state championships. Trinity has a record of 10-1 against St. Xavier in the postseason, including last year’s 50-7 semifinal win for the Shamrocks.
Honorable Mentions: Bowling Green vs. Greenwood; Collins vs. Shelby County;Male vs. Manuel;
Series: Detroit Catholic Central leads 39-30-1
A rivalry that dates back to 1963, Brother Rice became Detroit Catholic Central’s permanent opponent for the "Boys Bowl" in 1967. With 20 combined state championships between them, this matchup puts two of Michigan’s finest against each other on a yearly basis.
Catholic Central added state championship No. 11 last year after going 14-0 and beating Brother Rice 41-8 in the regular season. he Shamrocks have won 11 straight in the series.
Honorable Mentions: Battle Creek Central vs. Kalamazoo Central; Detroit Martin Luther King vs. Detroit Cass Tech; Muskegon vs. Muskegon Heights
Series: Brainerd leads 35-30-2
Given that both towns lay claim as the birthplace of legendary lumberjack Paul Bunyan, it only makes sense that the trophy they play for is known as "Babe’s Bell." The two teams first met in 1940 and have had several notable encounters since.
In 1975, they played in an October blizzard that caused whiteout conditions in a game that saw Bemidji win 20-6. The Lumberjacks enter 2026 with back-to-back wins over the Warriors.
Honorable Mentions: Cretin-Derham Hall vs. St. Thomas Academy; Edina vs. Eden Prairie; Minnetonka vs. Wayzata
Series: Tied 58-58-7
It doesn't get any closer than when the Pioneers and Statesmen get together. The "Turkey Day Game" is the longest running high school football rivalry west of the Mississippi River.
What makes this game unique is an agreement between the two known as the "Turkey Day Agreement." As the game is played well beyond the end of the regular season, if either team makes a deep run into the postseason, the junior varsity team for that program will fill in to play in place of the varsity squad.
That agreement was triggered the last two seasons with Kirkwood’s JV squad winning both games in blowout fashion to even up the series and maintain The Frisco Bell. Webster Groves last beat Kirkwood in 2013.
Honorable Mentions: Blue Springs vs. Rockhurst; Brookfield vs. Marceline; Christian Brothers Collegevs. St. Louis University High
Series: Westside leads 17-8 (Since 2004)
Right in the heart of Omaha features a private-public matchup that brings thousands out. Better known as the "Neighborhood Rivalry," Westside and Creighton Prep have each established themselves as Class A powers in the state.
When Creighton Prep moved to its current location in 1958, that was the spark that ignited the state's best rivalry. Westside's enjoyed the last decade with the Warriors winning eight straight games.
Honorable Mentions: Columbus vs. Fremont; Grand Island vs. Kearney; Millard North vs. Millard South
Series: N/A
While the teams have not maintained an all-time win-loss record, what is known as that they've played exactly 58 times over the last 50 years. Sharing the Bismarck Community Bowl, this game is better known as the "Battle of the Bowl."
Since 2011, both programs have each won six state championships and have split their meetings. Century won last year's game in a 14-13 defensive slugfest.
Honorable Mentions: Central McLeanvs. Southern McLean;Fargo Davies vs. Fargo Shanley; Hettinger County vs. Hettinger-Scranton
Series: Massillon Washington leads 78-53-5
Whether you call it "The War of 1894" or "The Game," folks in the Buckeye State know exactly what game you're referring to. This game features two of the state's best, which have accounted for nearly 2,000 combined total wins and 36 state championships.
Played at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium, nearly 20,000 fans come out every fall to see the Tigers and Bulldogs. It's been all Massillon since 2016 with the Tigers winning the last 10 meetings.
Honorable Mentions: Elder vs. St. Xavier; Piqua vs. Troy; St. Edward vs. St. Ignatius
Series: Yankton leads 47-32-2
Historically, there aren't many rivalries in South Dakota better than the Governors and Bucks. While it is one of the state's longest-running games, recent matchups have just added to the lore.
Since 2013, the two teams have met at the DakotaDome with a state championship on the line. Pierre's won three of those four meetings, including last year, beating the Bucks 56-35.
Honorable Mentions: Canistota vs. Howard; Dell Rapids vs. West Central; Sioux Falls Lincoln vs. Sioux Falls Washington
Series: Fairmont Senior leads 69-28-7
Local bragging rights are on the line when the Bees and Polar Bears square off at East-West Stadium. As both teams share the venue, this matchup means just a little more as the losing team can't go far away to escape.
This game is the oldest continually played rivalry game in the Mountain State, first being played in 1921. Senior has historically had the upper hand and that is the case in recent history as they've won 17 consecutive games, including the 2025 meeting by a score of 49-14.
Honorable Mentions: George Washington vs. South Charleston; Parkersburg vs. Parkersburg South; Ripley vs. Ravenswood
Series: Reedsburg leads 67-65-6
The most-played high school football game in state history, the Beavers and Thunderbirds played their first game against each other in 1900. Since 1983, they've played for the "Old River Jug."
Since 1919, these two programs have played every year without interruption and until recently, no team had gained much traction in building a series lead. Reedsburg has won the last two games in dominant fashion to take the two-game lead.
Honorable Mentions: Chippewa Falls vs. Eau Claire Memorial; Green Bay East vs. Green Bay West; Marinette vs. Menominee
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Every Midwestern state's best high school football rivalry
Continue reading...
While there will undoubtedly be massive matchups all over, no games traction more steam than those pitting archrivals against one another.
Every state has its number of great rivalries but what rivalry stands out above the rest?
Going region by region, USA TODAY Sports will take a look at each state and pick out the best high school football rivalry in each state based on that series’ history.
Up first, we’re taking a look at the heart of the country with all of the states in the Midwest.
Illinois: East Aurora vs. West Aurora
Series: West Aurora leads 67-48-12
Better known as the "War on the Fox," the Tomcats and Blackhawks first met on the gridiron on November 18, 1893. The series was tied up in 2000 with both teams winning 48 games apiece. It's been all West Aurora since though with the Blackhawks winning 19 consecutive games.
The rivalry took a break from 2019-2023 due to conference realignment but resumed in 2024 following immense public demand to make it a non-conference game.
Honorable Mentions: Batavia vs. Geneva; Hyde Park vs. Englewood; Mount Carmel vs. Saint Rita
Indiana: Ben Davis vs. Warren Central
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Series: Warren Central leads 60-38-3
Known as "The Circle City Showdown," this game features Eastside and Westside heavyweights on a yearly basis. The Giants and Warriors have combined to win 19 state championships, a national championship and produced numerous NFL players.
The two schools first met on the field in 1937 and recently passed the 100-game mark between regular season and playoff meetings. Warren Central has won five of the last six meetings.
Honorable Mentions: Carmel vs. Center Grove; Evansville Reitz vs. Evansville Mater Dei; Fishers vs. Hamilton Southeastern,
Iowa: Dowling Catholic vs. West Des Moines Valley
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Series: Dowling Catholic leads 33-20
Nearly 10,000 come out for whenever the Maroons and Tigers get together. Not only is it a great regular season matchup, but it's one of the best postseason games in the state as well.
Dowling Catholic holds the postseason advantage as well by a margin of 13-11. Since 2000, the two programs have combined to win 15 state championships. Last season, Dowling Catholic avenged a one-point Week 1 loss to the Tigers by beating them 14-10 in the state semifinals en route to another state title.
Honorable Mentions: Ankeny vs. Ankeny Centennial; Iowa City High vs. Iowa City West; Oskaloosa vs. Ottumwa
Kentucky: St. Xavier vs. Trinity
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Series: Trinity leads 52-41-2
In 1956, two of Kentucky’s premier private schools squared off for the first time. That rivalry would turn into one of the nation’s best with more than 35,000 annually attending L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium in Louisville for the most-attended annual regular-season high school football game in the country.
The Shamrocks and Tigers are the state’s two winningest programs, combining for 41 state championships. Trinity has a record of 10-1 against St. Xavier in the postseason, including last year’s 50-7 semifinal win for the Shamrocks.
Honorable Mentions: Bowling Green vs. Greenwood; Collins vs. Shelby County;Male vs. Manuel;
Michigan: Brother Rice vs. Catholic Central
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Series: Detroit Catholic Central leads 39-30-1
A rivalry that dates back to 1963, Brother Rice became Detroit Catholic Central’s permanent opponent for the "Boys Bowl" in 1967. With 20 combined state championships between them, this matchup puts two of Michigan’s finest against each other on a yearly basis.
Catholic Central added state championship No. 11 last year after going 14-0 and beating Brother Rice 41-8 in the regular season. he Shamrocks have won 11 straight in the series.
Honorable Mentions: Battle Creek Central vs. Kalamazoo Central; Detroit Martin Luther King vs. Detroit Cass Tech; Muskegon vs. Muskegon Heights
Minnesota: Bemidji vs. Brainerd
Series: Brainerd leads 35-30-2
Given that both towns lay claim as the birthplace of legendary lumberjack Paul Bunyan, it only makes sense that the trophy they play for is known as "Babe’s Bell." The two teams first met in 1940 and have had several notable encounters since.
In 1975, they played in an October blizzard that caused whiteout conditions in a game that saw Bemidji win 20-6. The Lumberjacks enter 2026 with back-to-back wins over the Warriors.
Honorable Mentions: Cretin-Derham Hall vs. St. Thomas Academy; Edina vs. Eden Prairie; Minnetonka vs. Wayzata
Missouri: Kirkwood vs. Webster Groves
Series: Tied 58-58-7
It doesn't get any closer than when the Pioneers and Statesmen get together. The "Turkey Day Game" is the longest running high school football rivalry west of the Mississippi River.
What makes this game unique is an agreement between the two known as the "Turkey Day Agreement." As the game is played well beyond the end of the regular season, if either team makes a deep run into the postseason, the junior varsity team for that program will fill in to play in place of the varsity squad.
That agreement was triggered the last two seasons with Kirkwood’s JV squad winning both games in blowout fashion to even up the series and maintain The Frisco Bell. Webster Groves last beat Kirkwood in 2013.
Honorable Mentions: Blue Springs vs. Rockhurst; Brookfield vs. Marceline; Christian Brothers Collegevs. St. Louis University High
Nebraska: Omaha Westside vs. Creighton Prep
Series: Westside leads 17-8 (Since 2004)
Right in the heart of Omaha features a private-public matchup that brings thousands out. Better known as the "Neighborhood Rivalry," Westside and Creighton Prep have each established themselves as Class A powers in the state.
When Creighton Prep moved to its current location in 1958, that was the spark that ignited the state's best rivalry. Westside's enjoyed the last decade with the Warriors winning eight straight games.
Honorable Mentions: Columbus vs. Fremont; Grand Island vs. Kearney; Millard North vs. Millard South
North Dakota: Bismarck High vs. Century High
Series: N/A
While the teams have not maintained an all-time win-loss record, what is known as that they've played exactly 58 times over the last 50 years. Sharing the Bismarck Community Bowl, this game is better known as the "Battle of the Bowl."
Since 2011, both programs have each won six state championships and have split their meetings. Century won last year's game in a 14-13 defensive slugfest.
Honorable Mentions: Central McLeanvs. Southern McLean;Fargo Davies vs. Fargo Shanley; Hettinger County vs. Hettinger-Scranton
Ohio: Canton McKinley vs. Massillon Washington
Series: Massillon Washington leads 78-53-5
Whether you call it "The War of 1894" or "The Game," folks in the Buckeye State know exactly what game you're referring to. This game features two of the state's best, which have accounted for nearly 2,000 combined total wins and 36 state championships.
Played at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium, nearly 20,000 fans come out every fall to see the Tigers and Bulldogs. It's been all Massillon since 2016 with the Tigers winning the last 10 meetings.
Honorable Mentions: Elder vs. St. Xavier; Piqua vs. Troy; St. Edward vs. St. Ignatius
South Dakota: Pierre vs. Yankton
Series: Yankton leads 47-32-2
Historically, there aren't many rivalries in South Dakota better than the Governors and Bucks. While it is one of the state's longest-running games, recent matchups have just added to the lore.
Since 2013, the two teams have met at the DakotaDome with a state championship on the line. Pierre's won three of those four meetings, including last year, beating the Bucks 56-35.
Honorable Mentions: Canistota vs. Howard; Dell Rapids vs. West Central; Sioux Falls Lincoln vs. Sioux Falls Washington
West Virginia: Fairmont Senior vs. East Fairmont
Series: Fairmont Senior leads 69-28-7
Local bragging rights are on the line when the Bees and Polar Bears square off at East-West Stadium. As both teams share the venue, this matchup means just a little more as the losing team can't go far away to escape.
This game is the oldest continually played rivalry game in the Mountain State, first being played in 1921. Senior has historically had the upper hand and that is the case in recent history as they've won 17 consecutive games, including the 2025 meeting by a score of 49-14.
Honorable Mentions: George Washington vs. South Charleston; Parkersburg vs. Parkersburg South; Ripley vs. Ravenswood
Wisconsin: Baraboo vs. Reedsburg
Series: Reedsburg leads 67-65-6
The most-played high school football game in state history, the Beavers and Thunderbirds played their first game against each other in 1900. Since 1983, they've played for the "Old River Jug."
Since 1919, these two programs have played every year without interruption and until recently, no team had gained much traction in building a series lead. Reedsburg has won the last two games in dominant fashion to take the two-game lead.
Honorable Mentions: Chippewa Falls vs. Eau Claire Memorial; Green Bay East vs. Green Bay West; Marinette vs. Menominee
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Every Midwestern state's best high school football rivalry
Continue reading...
