I refuse to believe any rivalry is bigger than CovCath-highlands. Then again, I'm completely biased so don't yell at me.

I refuse to believe any rivalry is bigger than CovCath-highlands. Then again, I'm completely biased so don't yell at me.

 

I won't yell at you but I will say this. As far as buildup, intensity between the schools, and the competitive nature of the majority of the games with the state champion many times coming from this game I agree. However when Highlands holds roughly a 2-1 advantage in the all-time record I think there are many rivalries around the state that are equal if not better in football. I just think it needs to be closer to 50/50. I'm a a CCH guy but it is what it is.

Male vs. Manual is awfully big.

Highlands vs Covington Catholic is a huge rivalry...Behind T and X I would put that game right there..It is definately the biggest rivalry in NKy..

 

How about Bellevue vs Dayton, the Bellevue-Dayton rivalry is the most-played high school football series in Greater Cincinnati. Although the National Federation of State High School Associations’ record book doesn’t list it among its most-played series, it would rank eighth nationally after last year’s 127th meeting. The two rival schools, located blocks away along the Campbell County riverfront, first met in 1927

What gives Mayfield/Tilghman (and Male/Manual) an advantage is how long they have played and the relative balance in wins. The time is something Trinity/St. X and Highlands/Covington Catholic can't really compete with, although the number of big games in both of those series is unbelievable.

 

I wouldn't count Danville/Boyle in this for two reasons: 1) Boyle didn't open until 1963, and 2) Danville was so dominant over a long period of time. And now recently it has almost swung back the other direction.

 

But you can't go wrong with any of these rivalries. They are all great, and are great for Kentucky high school football.

I don't think they've played Henderson County that many have they? If I remember there was a Henderson High School and other county schools that existed before consolidation. I don't think that counts does it? That would be like all those old Harrodsburg records still being active when Mercer plays Boyle.

At one time there was Henderson City High, Henderson County high, and Barret High School (I believe it closed in the 50's). They opened the current County High School in 1976 to consolidate the city and county high schools. Those are now North and South Junior High. That was also the last time the current school played in the state title game. They lost to none other then Trinity.

My response to the thread question is what makes T/X the best rivalry? Attendance? I would argue that PT/Mayfield for Male/Manual is number 1 and 1A (you decide the order).

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How about Bellevue vs Dayton, the Bellevue-Dayton rivalry is the most-played high school football series in Greater Cincinnati. Although the National Federation of State High School Associations’ record book doesn’t list it among its most-played series, it would rank eighth nationally after last year’s 127th meeting. The two rival schools, located blocks away along the Campbell County riverfront, first met in 1927

 

So it's the most played NKY rivalry, not the biggest. I don't think anyone outside the two cities pays much attention when they play. It's just how it is. If the two programs had achieved more success I'm sure it would garner more attention. Don't think you can say the same thing about CCH-HHS, or several others for that matter.

I won't yell at you but I will say this. As far as buildup, intensity between the schools, and the competitive nature of the majority of the games with the state champion many times coming from this game I agree. However when Highlands holds roughly a 2-1 advantage in the all-time record I think there are many rivalries around the state that are equal if not better in football. I just think it needs to be closer to 50/50. I'm a a CCH guy but it is what it is.

 

This is right on.

Given the long tradition of both schools. The longevity of the series. The geographic proximity. And the eveness of the series, is it safe to say that the Mayfield/Paducah Tilghman rivalry is the second best in the state behind T and X?

 

Certainly the second from the historical perspective. Don't know if that makes it the second "best" in the state. Hard to define what "best" means when talking about a rivalry.

What gives Mayfield/Tilghman (and Male/Manual) an advantage is how long they have played and the relative balance in wins. The time is something Trinity/St. X and Highlands/Covington Catholic can't really compete with, although the number of big games in both of those series is unbelievable.

 

I wouldn't count Danville/Boyle in this for two reasons: 1) Boyle didn't open until 1963, and 2) Danville was so dominant over a long period of time. And now recently it has almost swung back the other direction.

 

But you can't go wrong with any of these rivalries. They are all great, and are great for Kentucky high school football.

 

:thumb: That's why I can't place the Boyle-Danville rivalry in the same categories as these others. I would say in the last 20 years it ranks in the conversation based on the rise of Boyle to state power and coupled with Danville's continuing excellence. For the last 17 years (1995 forward) these two have won 9 state titles between them and Danville has been to three other finals and Boyle another one. I pointed to '95 because from that point on it was a competitive rivalry where Boyle began to challenge the Ads.

 

Finally, you are right, that 19 game win streak by the Ads (with the games only being competitive the first 5 years of that streak and last year or so of it) is too hard to overcome to rank it with the above long standing series'.

At one time there was Henderson City High, Henderson County high, and Barret High School (I believe it closed in the 50's). They opened the current County High School in 1976 to consolidate the city and county high schools. Those are now North and South Junior High. That was also the last time the current school played in the state title game. They lost to none other then Trinity.

 

:thumb:

:thumb: That's why I can't place the Boyle-Danville rivalry in the same categories as these others. I would say in the last 20 years it ranks in the conversation based on the rise of Boyle to state power and coupled with Danville's continuing excellence. For the last 17 years (1995 forward) these two have won 9 state titles between them and Danville has been to three other finals and Boyle another one. I pointed to '95 because from that point on it was a competitive rivalry where Boyle began to challenge the Ads.

 

Finally, you are right, that 19 game win streak by the Ads (with the games only being competitive the first 5 years of that streak and last year or so of it) is too hard to overcome to rank it with the above long standing series'.

Good points on Boyle/Danville. To be honest with you, I had never heard of Boyle County until Chuck Smith arrived. I knew who Danville was though.

Good points on Boyle/Danville. To be honest with you, I had never heard of Boyle County until Chuck Smith arrived. I knew who Danville was though.

 

:thumb: Boyle had good years ('74 to '83) were all winning seasons including some 10 and 9 win years. The program was known in Central KY but never made much noise on the state level.

 

You are correct though, Chuck Smith did for Boyle what I believe Tom Duffy and Sam Harp did for the Admirals. Raised them to a state level. :thumb:

T/X may not have the 100 years of history, but I think a componet of "big rivalry" would have to be how many alumni from the schools come to the game each year. I know T/X is HUGE in that regard, and perhaps Mayfield/Tilghman is also. I will say this about Male/Manual: while I believe alumni support has fallen off over the last 2-3 decades, I have a newspaper clipping from when my grandfather played for Male in the 30's and the ENTIRE FRONT PAGE of the Courier (not the front of the Sports page but the FRONT page) was the team photos of Male and Manual. It literally looked like a front pagelike you would dedicate to 9/11 or Kennedy being shot. There was nothing on the front of the Courier except for Male and Manual football. It was that big.