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The question was posed to our staff following this year’s BlueCross Bowls:
When looking at the Midstate, what are some of the best area rivalry games that take place in our coverage area?
We decided that with the offseason now here, we may as well go ahead and dive deep into that question. So with that in mind, here’s the final part of a three-part series where we’ll examine some of the best rivalries in the 615 Preps coverage.
Note: The rivalries included in this series will only include schools in our coverage area. You can see the full list of schools in our coverage area here.
RIVALRY SERIES: 615 Preps rivalry series, Part 1
RIVALRY SERIES: 615 Preps rivalry series, Part 2
WAY-TOO-EARLY PICKS: 615 Preps picks its 2024 state champions
Blackman vs. Riverdale
First Meeting: 2001
Oakland/Riverdale may get all of the buzz as ‘the’ rivalry in Murfreesboro, but don’t sleep on Blackman and Riverdale’s. The two Murfreesboro schools are only separated by seven miles and have played every year since 2001.
Riverdale leads the series 16-12 thanks to early dominance in the series. However, a 9-0 run from Blackman between 2012-2019 brought the Blaze back within striking distance.
In recent years it’s been a back-and-forth affair with the sides splitting the last three meetings. Things got even better in 2023 as Blackman named Matt Kriesky, Riverdale coach Will Kriesky’s twin brother, as its next head coach.
Centennial vs. Page
First Meeting: 1999
Another rivalry between Franklin teams, Centennial and Page haven’t played as much as some would hope. Now that they’re in the same region though, expect that to change.
Page and Centennial had not played since 2019 but got back together twice last season. The Patriots won both beating the Cougars 24-12 in the regular season and a 14-7 nail-biter in the Class 5A quarterfinals.
With those wins, Page now leads the series 6-3.
Clarksville vs. Springfield
First Meeting: 1919
Not many teams can claim that they’ve played 100 times or more. Clarksville and Springfield are two of those teams that can.
The Yellow Jackets and Wildcats have played 101 times following their 2023 meeting. Clarksville won that meeting 42-7 but overall, Springfield’s dominated the series. They lead 57-38-4.
Clarksville is coming off one of its best seasons in school history and Springfield has hit a bit of rebuild after years of success so the next few years could present a great opportunity for the Wildcats to put a dent in that deficit.
Davidson Academy vs. Nashville Christian
First Meeting: 1986
They may not be in the same class anymore but there’s no denying that that the Bears and Eagles rivalry is one that fans of high school football have to see at least once.
The final result is either a blowout or an instant classic. There’s no in-between.
Davidson Academy leads the series 14-12 but Nashville Christian’s won two of the last three meetings. The Eagles won a pair of high-scoring games in 2021 and 2022 winning the 2021 meeting 42-27 and the 2022 meeting 59-51.
The Bears got back on track last season winning their Week 1 meeting with the Eagles 27-20.
DCA vs. Friendship Christian
First Meeting: 1985
DCA and Friendship’s rivalry is one of the closest in DII-A right now. It’s only intensified over the last three seasons as the sides played in the regular season and the postseason.
The Wildcats cruised in both of their 2021 meetings against the Commanders en route to the DII-A state title. Friendship Christian repaid the favor the last two years winning four straight to go along with a state title and another state championship appearance. To get to the 2021 championship game, Friendship blocked a DCA PAT late to preserve a 14-13 win.
Overall, Friendship Christian leads the series 18-15. One of those victories was a 34-10 win over DCA for the 2017 DII-A title.
Gallatin vs. Lebanon
First Meeting: 1930
Gallatin may have over 40 meetings with Mt. Juliet, but the Green Wave’s longest-running rivalry against a Wilson County school is with Lebanon.
The Green Wave and Blue Devils have played nearly every year since 1930 and are closing in on 80 total games played. Gallatin leads the series 53-22-4, but the Blue Devils have made strides in denting that lead recently.
Lebanon ended a nine-year losing streak to Gallatin in 2021 beating the Green Wave 14-0. They followed that up the next year with a 14-9. Gallatin got back on track this past season winning a 32-30 classic.
Goodpasture vs. Lipscomb Academy
First Meeting: 1973
It may not seem like it now because of Lipscomb Academy’s recent dominance, but the Mustangs rivalry with Goodpasture is one of the best around.
Since their first meeting in 1973, the Cougars and Mustangs traded results back and forth for years. Lipscomb Academy currently leads the series 28-25 and have won four straight.
During that streak, the Mustangs have won by an average of 38.5 points.
Greenbrier vs. White House
First Meeting: 1947
With nearly nine decades up play under their belts, Greenbrier and White House have produced some classics during that stretch.
White House has controlled this rivalry for much of it taking a commanding 54-27 series lead. The Blue Devils are currently on a 7-game win streak. Of those seven games, two have been decided by 10 or fewer points.
Greenbrier’s best run in the series came in the early meetings. From 1955-1962, the Bobcats won 10 straight winning a majority of those games in blowout fashion.
Macon County vs. Westmoreland
First Meeting: 1985
Separated by less than 30 minutes, Westmoreland and Macon County’s rivalry can be best described as a back-and-forth affair.
Westmoreland leads the series 19-16 and the Eagles hold the longest winning streak in the series. They won six straight from 1991-2000.
Recent history has seen Macon County make a significant dent in that lead. The Tigers have won seven of the last nine games and are currently on a three-game streak.
Maryville vs. Oakland
First Meeting: 2014
Is there a postseason rivalry than Oakland and Maryville? We don’t think so.
Up until this past season, the Rebels and Patriots had played every year in the semifinals dating back to 2014. They also split the two regular season matchups against each other with Oakland winning 17-14 in 2017 and Maryville winning 24-21 the next year.
Historically, the home team was the favorite in every meeting up until 2021. That year Oakland made the trip west and picked up their first road win against the Rebels.
While that semifinal matchup didn’t happen this year, hopefully the two sides can meet back up again in the near future.
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