MERCER COUNTY, WV & TAZEWELL COUNTY, VA (WOAY) – With Bluefield Graham hitting the gridiron tonight at 7:30 pm, the two Bluefields are all about loyalty.
“The game being first on the schedule really sets the tone and vibe around the school, not just for the football team and the season, but how it’s affecting the students,” said Bluefield High School Spirit Leader Audra Rockness. “They’re getting more competitive and excited for Friday.”
According to Bluefield High School Principal Mike Collins, the Beavers have a strong team with only three seniors.
“They’re very talented and young,” Collins said. “I know they’re excited to get the game going tomorrow. We have quite a few activities leading up to the game.”
Graham football players look forward to the game all summer.
“We work hard to get to this point, so we want to go five in a row,” said Outside Linebacker Ethan Horn. “Definitely to get that again, where I haven’t lost for the Beavers; it’s always been something I’ve wanted to do.”
The Bluefields cherish this big decades-old rivalry between such small towns.
“It’s competitive between the two schools, but also bonds them in a certain way,” Rockness said. “Cool to have that. I’m really excited. Senior year hoping we win. It should be a good game.”
Horn echoes that sentiment.
“At the end of the day, we’re all great friends, but it’s very competitive. Everybody wants to win,” said the outside linebacker.
The Bluefield-Graham game is a community affair.
“There are huge Beaver fans, always have been,” Rockness said. “It’s nice to see all of us come together.”
