‘Backyard Brawl’ - Hudson versus Fivay: 3 miles. Seven minute drive in your car is all it would take to get from one school to the other when it comes down to how nearby these two schools are. The Backyard Brawl has become such a neat rivalry that a local furniture store sponsors a trophy each year for the event. It’s something that none of the other three rivalries offer, but is unique between Hudson and Fivay. Though neither program has been in the playoff picture in recent memory, this game has provided some fun and exciting prep football with a local neighborhood feel. Both coaches have become intertwined into the Backyard Brawl matchup, as Fivay’s Matt Durchik has been apart of every game and Hudson’s Timothy Hicks was previously at Lake Weir High School before landing at Hudson. This year’s edition should be another intense and fun matchup.
It’s ‘Rivalry Week’ for several teams within Pasco County, as Wiregrass Ranch High School will travel just a little north to face rival Wesley Chapel High School and Mitchell High School will take the drive up Little Road to take on neighborhood for River Ridge High School. The county has welcomed the new rivalries and throw in the addition of the ‘9-Mile War’ and ‘Backyard Brawl’, all the rivalries bring their own different flavor. We take a closer look at the rivalries that are within Pasco County.
‘Battle Royale’ - Mitchell versus River River: Many can argue that this specific rivalry between these two schools that are separated by a mere eight miles is a bit one sided, as the Mustangs lead the series 14-4. Mitchell looks to take an even bigger lead in this series, but they’ll have to travel to enemy territory to get win No. 15. The rivalry is one that is unique in the crowds it generates to the head coaches themselves. This rivalry brings crowds of over 3,000 fans to the games and standing room only has become a usual occurrence if you decide to show up at kickoff. The head coaches are also deeply tied to their respective programs, as Mitchell’s Andy Schmitz is the son of Scott Schmitz, who was the program’s first ever lead man. River Ridge’s Ryan Benjamin stakes the claim as the program’s best player, as he played in the NFL for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and won a Super Bowl back in 2003. If any rivalry provides the atmosphere to go along with deep roots and competitive matchup, this one as of recent memory might be the best.
‘Battle for Chapel’ - Wesley Chapel versus Wiregrass Ranch: Beat Chapel. That’s the banner that lies across the home bleachers if you attend a home game at Wiregrass Ranch High School. Some schools just have a rivalry that forms in one specific sport, but this one is an all year mantra for both schools. It’s high stakes and high security measures when Wesley Chapel and Wiregrass Ranch meet when it comes to anything. Football, basketball or baseball for that matter. The Bulls have for the most part dominated the matchup against the Wildcats when it comes to the football end, with the school being in Class 7A and Wesley Chapel being a Class 5A. Both coaches are no strangers when it comes to being apart of Pasco County rivalries, with Wesley Chapel’s Anthony Egan being a former River Ridge offensive line coach and Wiregrass Ranch’s Mark Kantor being a former Hudson High School head coach. This game may not mean anything in terms of playoff positioning or County supremacy, but for the kids who have grown up together in youth, middle school football, it means everything.
‘9-Mile War’ - Pasco versus Zephryhills: No rivalry is more deeply rooted in history than this one. The 9-Mile War is one that dates back decades and has seen former collegiate and NFL stars take part. From players like Ryan Pickett to Troy Hambrick to Bryan Thomas to Janarion Grant, this particular rivalry doesn’t lack for talent whatsoever. As of recent years, the schools have traded years of dominance as Zephryhills has been the dominant club since 2014 but from 2008-2013, the Pirates had won year in and year out. From coaching greats like Perry Brown (Pasco), Tom Fisher (Zephryhills) and Tom McHugh (Pasco), this annual matchup never lacks for great strategy involved amongst the coaching staffs. Zephryhills head coach Nick Carroll is no stranger to the rivalry, as he is an alum of the Bulldogs, but Pasco coach Jason Stokes is a newbie to Pasco County football and will be apart of his first 9-Mile War. With Zephryhills going through some growing pains and Pasco on the rise, this year’s edition could be a very entertaining one.
PascoCountyFB
High School Football in Florida
By Andy Villamarzo
PascoCountyFB Staff Writer
Pasco Pirates
Ridgewood Rams
River Ridge Royal Knights
Sunlake Seahawks
Wesley Chapel Wildcats
Wiregrass Ranch Bulls
Zephyrhills Bulldogs
Pasco County Football Rivalries 2019
Anclote Sharks
Bishop McLaughlin Hurricanes
Gulf Buccaneers
Fivay Falcons
Hudson Cobras
Land O' Lakes Gators
Mitchell Mustangs
Andy Villamarzo Phone- 727.946.5950 Email- andyvillamarzo@gmail.com Twitter- @avillamarzo