The most exciting part of going back to school is– without a doubt– the arrival of football season. When the lights shine on the green turf and the air starts getting chillier, the only thought in anyone’s head is, “It’s finally Friday Night Lights.” In years past, the game of the season was always West vs South.
What makes the rivalry isn’t just the competitiveness, it’s the community that it brings together. Brunswick County has three high schools: West, South, and North. That local connection creates a unique bond, even in the heat of competition with the Trojans beating the Cougars 17 times and only losing five in football. As the years progressed and schools grew, the rivalry has adapted since South Brunswick has left the conference.
“We’re friends off the field,” said team captain of Varsity soccer, Samuel Sellers. “But once we start playing, we know what we have to do.”
It’s not just football that draws a crowd; the soccer and basketball games are just as exciting. These matchups are often the most physical games of the season, fueled by the personal stakes and familiarity. Whether it’s a penalty kick in the final minutes or a buzzer-beating three-pointer, anything can happen when West meets South. Many players from both schools have grown up playing on the same travel and club teams. That history adds another layer of intensity to each match.
“You obviously want to have a funny Barstool post after, so that’s our motivation,” said Sellers. “Some people at the other school like to talk mean online, and it pushes us to win.”
These competitive games and familiar faces come with the comfortability to talk trash, and sometimes talking trash on the field just isn’t enough. Many high school students create online accounts named “barstools,” mainly originating from Barstool Sports. These accounts post funny content after winning against another team, and they serve a big motivator for winning these intense games.
South Brunswick’s departure from the conference has changed the stakes, and the rivalry still runs deep. Even though it’s only a non-conference game, it will always be a fun watch when West and South are sharing the same field.
“It’s just West and South, you know?” said West head football coach Shane Handy. “We’re just local next door neighbors, so it brings a lot of competition to the field.”
