Video: 2017 Maroon Bowl Poised to Be the Best in Rivalry Series History

WEBSTER COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) — You would be hard-pressed to find a better or more intense rivalry anywhere in the state of Mississippi than in Webster County.

Separated by just 15.8 miles, East Webster and Eupora high schools will battle it out once again this Friday in the Maroon Bowl.

On the east side of the County, the Wolverines are aiming to close out a 4-year run against their rival, and with East Webster making the trip to visit the Eagles this year, they know it’ll be even more intense in a road atmosphere.

“We’re excited about this football game,” East Webster head coach Ron Price said. “It’s not only our rival but it’s our first division game. A lot of emphasis has to be placed on this game. It’s Eupora. Our guys know that. They’ve been focused at practice.”

“It’s definitely one of the biggest rivalries,” senior Charlie Brand said. “We compete in everything whether it’s test scores or sports. It really means a lot to everyone around here.”

On the west side of the County, Eupora is coming off one of the best wins in the state last week over Charleston.

But the Eagles’ focus now is on their first division game, which just so happens to be the team this year’s senior class has yet to defeat. That’s the goal and motivation for Friday.

“I want to go out and make a statement,” senior Al Dumas said. “They’ve beaten us the last 3 years. We want to turn it around this year. It’s always been a huge rivalry.”

“We’re 0-3 as a senior class against East Webster,” senior Tanner Knight said. “We want to end with a win against them for sure.”

“It’s a big game,” Eupora head coach Stephen Edwards said. “First division game. Of course, it’s a rivalry game. It’s two good teams playing against each other. That makes it a big rivalry when you have two teams that close together.”

This year’s Maroon Bowl may be the biggest and most important to date, with everything that’s on the line and both schools wouldn’t have it any other way.

“It’s a different feel in the hallways at school,” Brand said. “At the game Friday, it won’t be a like a normal Friday night. They’ll all be into it like the last 3 years.”

“It’s fun for them,” coach Edwards said. “People can get after it, have a good time and rib each other. Simply because they’re so close to each other.”

“The intensity will be there,” coach Price said. “Our football team will be excited. Hopefully we can go out Friday night and do the best job we can.

Kickoff is at 7pm Friday, and our festivities begin at 5pm on location at Eupora with our Carl Hogan Toyota Game of the Week coverage…we’ll see you Friday at the Maroon Bowl, where anything can happen!