Tuttle at Newcastle -- What the game means to players

By Jason Kersey
jkersey@opubco.com

I called players from Newcastle and Tuttle to ask a simple question: What does this rivalry mean to them? Here are some responses:

Newcastle senior RB Riley Gibson:
“It’s not like any other game. There’s tension between everyone out there. It’s like OU-Texas.”

Newcastle senior TE/DE Ryan Corbin:
“It’s a big rivalry. We’re five miles apart, and whoever wins is the talk of the town. It’s the first time we’ve ever both been 6-0, and whoever comes out on top is going to be the top dog.”

Newcastle senior LB Chase Stalsworth:
“I’ve lived in the town my whole life, so I’ve seen this game since I was a little kid. It’s one of the most important games to us. And also, they beat Clinton (Friday), so it’s 1 and 2 in the district playing. We see each other at the movies and everywhere, and there’s some smack talk between us all.”

Tuttle senior QB Sterling Koons:
“It’s always a big rivalry game to play those guys. I guess they’re doing pretty well this year, so it should be a good game.”

Tuttle senior LB Reno Marical:
“It’s always a big game. We see (Newcastle players) all the time and talk to them, so it’s a big bragging rights deal. They’re undefeated and we’re undefeated, so it has playoff implications.”

Tuttle senior OL/DT Ethan Reedy:

“It’s all about bragging rights. It’s been pretty long-standing; we’ve been big rivals since before I was playing. Even in junior high, it’s a big rivalry.”