Decades ago, two High School football teams decided upon one thing: a rivalry. While every team in a league usually has some tension between each other, there are one or two big rivalries that stand the test of time.
For the Inland Empire, one of these everlasting rivalries is between Lakeland and Post Falls.
The two teams play at similar skill levels, but with players coming and going from each team, it seems as if every year one team seems to knock down the other.
Two years ago Lakeland took the victory over the Trojans, but only last year the Trojans made a massive comeback defeating the Lakeland Hawks.
“I expect that we will come out with a lot of intensity and that we won’t come out thinking it will be an easy win like last weekend. We will play a better game, play harder. Hopefully, be the more physical team.” Clive Hobbs said.
Although this Friday Night game is on many Lakeland students’ minds, a deeper and longer rivalry is at the root of the anticipation of this game.
From vandalizing statues to harassing players, Lakeland and Post Falls have experienced many disputes in the past.
“I would say that the schools do have a rivalry. Ever since we beat them two years ago. I would say there is more on the line because of this, and we were their homecoming game last year and they proved they could beat us,” Hobbs said, “So now we want to prove that we can beat them also at our homecoming game.”
While sports are engaging without a rivalry, adding more to the win can make the game more interesting, not only for fans but also for players.
Overall, rivalries can enhance the excitement, competitiveness, and even the economic impact of sports, making them more enjoyable for everyone involved.
These rivalries can also bring out more passion from the fans. This heightened interest can lead to larger crowds at the games, increased spirit, and more active participation on the schools’ social media.
“For years and years, even before me in high school, they would come and paint our hawk orange and black. The funniest one was one time I heard a story that one guy took a tree and dug a hole in the middle of the Post Falls football field and planted a tree.” Tim Kiefer said.
Kiefer played for the Lakeland High School team when he was in high school.
“The LHS, post falls, rivalry is nothing compared to how it used to be. The Lakeland, Post Falls, rivalry back when I played in high school was THE rivalry. The two schools were pretty close in size, so it was different back then.” Kiefer said.
Sandpoint and Lakeland engage in similar rivalries at the annual Battle for the Paddle, just like Lake City and Coeur d’Alene at Fight for the Fish.
