Football Fever Descends on Chippewa Valley in Cougar-Big Red Rivalry

For six years, ’s trophy case has been home to the Superintendent’s Helmet Trophy, the victor’s spoils in the annual Big Red-Cougar rivalry.

Whether that trophy goes home with its previous owners or not depends on the pigskin played tonight when the .

Fans from both schools are expected to turn out in force, as the district rivalry once again comes to a head.

“It will be a big game for both sides,” said Cougar head coach Mike Giannone. “As a parent and community member, student and especially for a senior who will be playing Chippewa Valley for the last time, it’s always a big deal.”

Big Red head coach Scott Merchant agrees that it won’t take much to stir the blood of his players before the game.

“It takes care of itself,” Merchant said. “Obviously the kids know about it, and it brings a little something extra to practice and to the game. We still try to focus on the task at hand and prepare like we do every week. We really don’t have to say much to get the kids excited to play Dakota, if anything we try to calm them down a bit.”

Although it is still early in the season–only game three–the Big Reds are heading into this game as the underdog in both season and conference records (0-2 season, 0-1 MAC Red). , but rebounding with a , Dakota is now 1-1 for the season and 1-0 in the MAC Red.

The Cougars also have the home-field advantage. 

“They are the favorite going in and I’ve got a lot of respect going in,” Merchant said. “We can’t really do a whole lot about the past six years. Our kids are made aware of it on a daily basis by other people. They feel a lot of pressure to bring a victory to players, fans and alumni, but for me to sit there and tell them how many times in a row we’ve lost, that doesn’t help them prepare for the game.”

So heading into tonight’s game, Merchant will once again remind his players to “just think about this year and starting a new streak” and “not focus on the negatives or the past.”

On the Cougar side, Giannone plans to focus on the game plan and leave the motivation of his players to their friends and fellow students–a motivation that has been growing steadily since school started Tuesday.

“It’s a home game for us, and the Chippewa Valley week is always a big week,” he said. “We don’t have to do a lot in the way of getting the kids motivated. It happens just due to the circumstance. It should be a good game. I think they’ve got pretty good football team and I like our team as well and we match up pretty well.”

The Cougars defeated Chippewa 42-0 in the 2010 game and 41-7 in 2009. Will the tables turn in 2011?

Patch will be at the game to post up-to-the-minute scores and report the game in photos and video highlights.