Local Bragging Rights at Stake in 12th Annual 'Battle for Germantown'

Located a little more than two miles apart from each other, it's only natural that Northwest and Seneca Valley high schools have developed a heated rivalry since Northwest opened its doors in 1998. The arrival of Northwest essentially split up Seneca Valley's existing classes, forcing many players to transfer and turning one-time teammates into new adversaries. This Friday night, Northwest will make the short trek down Great Seneca Highway to face its biggest rival in the 12^th edition of the match-up with hopes of spoiling Seneca's homecoming.

The proximity of the two schools alone lends itself to this type of grudge match. Throw in the fact that each school has secured at least one state championship since the series began and had at least three "All-Met" players in that time span,  things are only intensified when the two teams play.

Since the first game in 1999—a 42-13 win for the Screamin' Eagles—the annual Battle for Germantown (or the Battle for the King's Trophy) has been one of the most highly anticipated games in Montgomery County each year.

"A lot of these kids grew up playing youth league together and all know each other. It's definitely one of those things where you want to beat your best friends in competition," Seneca Valley coach Fred Kim said. "It's definitely a very intense rivalry for both teams."

After that first lopsided meeting in 1999, the two schools then traded blows back-and-forth over the next seven years. By 2006, each team had won four times and the series was tied, 4-4. Seneca has taken the last three consecutive meetings—the longest streak for either team at any point in series history—and now owns a 7-4 all-time lead. The way this season is shaping up so far, with Seneca Valley at 4-1 and Northwest searching for its first win at 0-5, the Screamin' Eagles seem poised to make it four straight.

However, according to Kim, you can ignore the two teams' win-loss records when they square off.

"We know that they will bring their 'A' game; there's no question about it," Kim said. "They're not going to lay down for us. This could turn their season around. I'm sure they have a goal be 5-0 for the back-half of the season and carry that momentum into next year because they're a young team. So I know they're already thinking about what they can do to get to that next level for next season and we are definitely not taking them lightly."

Northwest assistant coach Ike Whitaker, who played in three of these games as a quarterback for Northwest from 2002-2004, said this game is, "hands-down the most electric rivalry I've ever been part of as a high school football player."

Whitaker, who is in his first year as an assistant, recalls specific details of the three games he appeared in, and was quick to point out that he was 2-1 as Northwest's starting QB in those games. "When we play Seneca, the records go out the window. That's a game you want to win. I've told our guys every day all week, we're driving down Great Seneca to lay it all on the line. To be back and be part of this game is an honor," Whitaker said. "It means a lot to me as a former player and now as a coach at Northwest."