I’ll never watch another game again.
You will never catch me in red and black!
Pirates for life…
I’ll never cheer for an Oak Hill Red Devil.
These sentiments were echoed throughout the Fayetteville community last year.
My family and I felt the same whenever we first heard of the consolidation. Looking back on it now, I know that was misguided. Even though we will always be a Pirate at heart, most students that transferred from Fayetteville are enjoying going to Oak Hill High School and being a Red Devil.
However, The Battle of The Bridge was a game that everybody looked forward to at Fayetteville High School and Midland Trail. It was a special. This year, it just didn’t feel the same playing for the trophy without wearing the green and white.
Jordan Dempsey, former Fayetteville graduate, said, “Playing in the Battle of The Bridge was something I always looked forward to. Both schools and communities were so ready to go out and watch their teams compete for that trophy. I wish I could go back on the field one more time and play for Fayetteville High School.”
The feeling was similar at Midland Trail.
Carter Nuckols, Midland Trail student, said, “I think it’s alright, but nothing will ever replace the original one. There was nothing like the atmosphere at any Trail vs. Fayetteville game; they can make new ones up, but it’ll never be the same.”
And it probably never will be the same, but the tradition is evolving.
Scott Wilshire, Oak Hill student and football player, said “I had never played in The Battle of The Bridge before, but I have Fayetteville friends that have. I like that we are continuing their old traditions and hopefully it goes on long after I’m gone.”
“I have always been rivals with Trail and have always played in the Battle of The Bridge,” said Eli Sedlock, Oak Hill High School football player and former Fayetteville High School student. “So, I think that it is cool that some of our old traditions got carried over to Oak Hill.”
Fayetteville residents seem happy that we will be a part of the new tradition, and hopefully, it carries on years after the first class of Fayetteville students graduate as an Oak Hill Red Devil. Many students have been told by their parents to look at the brighter side of things, and we are going to make the next two years we have of school the best we can.
Eli Selvey, Oak Hill High School football player and former Fayetteville High School student, said, “I’m happy that the Battle of the Bridge is still going. I’m happy to say I was on the first Oak Hill team that competed for the trophy.”
Bambi O’Neal, longtime Fayetteville resident, said, “I believe it may help the transition easier for some and be a great way to bring the community together.”
What people need to understand is that some of those Red Devils use to be Pirates, and we need the community behind them and their team. Some residents feel like “Once a Pirate always a Pirate,” but we are Red Devils now, and the whole school needs the community behind us.
Students hoped to see a lot of people out supporting Oak Hill at the Battle of the Bridge, whether they were from Fayetteville or Oak Hill. And that’s exactly what happened.
When the teams finally met last Friday, the atmosphere was incredible. It wasn’t quite the same as in past years, but it was an exciting game, and the crowd was into it.
The first half was a tight game with the score 10-6 at halftime. Trail started to play better in the second half, and they ended up taking the trophy home with a final score of 35-10.
Oak Hill fought their hardest but couldn’t pull out the win.
One player that stood out to me the most was Eli Sedlock. Sedlock had 12 tackles, 2 fumble recoveries, 11 rushing yards, and 50 receiving yards.
Cade Maynor also completed a 50-yard pass to Toby Giles for Oak Hill’s only touchdown of the evening.
Trail’s Colton Yoder played an amazing game as well. He ended up with 31 carries for 201 yards and a touchdown.
Another Midland Trail player that stood out was the Quarterback Chris Vines, who had two rushing touchdowns.
It was a great game for both teams to build on, and I personally wish them both good luck for the rest of the season.
[Click on any photo to enlarge the gallery.]
