2015 Preview Guide: Top rivalries in the Panhandle Region

There is nothing like a great rivalry to get the community, students and players all fired up for.

The Panhandle isn’t any different from any other area, when it comes to that.

Some of the best rivalries are found in the Panhandle region with some dating back to over 50 years.

Fort Walton Beach & Choctawhatchee

Rivalry Name: The Game
Next Meeting: October 30 at Choctawhatchee
Series: Choctawhatchee leads 23-21
Our Take: Simply known in Fort Walton Beach as “The Game,” the annual rivalry between cross town rivals Fort Walton Beach and Choctawhatchee has been contested 44 times with Choctawhatchee holding a 23-21 lead after a 45-3 win last season to claim the city championship and Hudson Marina trophy. The rivalry reached its peak in the 1990s when both programs, which shared Joe Etheredge Stadium from 1969-2005, won state titles before Fort Walton Beach moved into Steve Riggs stadium in 2006 on its own campus.

Results over the last five seasons:
2014: Choctawhatchee 45, Fort Walton Beach 3
2013: Choctawhatchee 19, Fort Walton Beach, 7
2012: Fort Walton Beach 38, Choctawhatchee 31
2011: Choctawhatchee 31, Fort Walton Beach, 23
2010: Fort Walton Beach 20, Choctawhatchee 17

Pensacola & Escambia

Rivalry Name: The Battle for Ye Olde Wash Bolier
Series: N/A
Next meeting: November 6 at Escambia
Our Take: The oldest rivalry in the Pensacola area has been one-sided for a while but that doesn’t stop both Pensacola and Escambia from continually meeting each year. The Battle for Ye Olde Wash Boiler Tub had resided at Pensacola since 2002, however Escambia has won the last two meetings.

Results over the last five seasons:
2014: Escambia 20, Pensacola 7
2013: Escambia 35, Pensacola 14
2012: Pensacola 24, Escambia 3
2011: Pensacola 48, Escambia 10
2010: Pensacola 41, Escambia 0

Pace & Milton

Rivalry Name: Bronze Helmet Trophy
Series: Milton leads 21-13
Next Meeting: October 30 at Pace
Our Take: Nearby rivals Pace and Milton began playing in 1981 and play for the Bronze Helmet Trophy. Milton leads the all-time series 21-13, however Pace regained the trophy back last fall with a 47-7 win. Despite the series beginning in 1981 and taking a short break from 1983 to 1985, Pace did not notch its first win until 1988 when they won the game 14-0. Milton would go on to win the next four before the Patriots would record a win in 1993 and then again in 1999. Since 2004, the Bronze Helmet had stayed at Pace High, except for 2012 and 2013 when Milton manage to get a couple of wins on the board.

Results over the last five seasons:
2014: Pace 47, Milton 7
2013: Milton 21, Pace 14
2012: Milton 28, Pace 20
2011: Pace 49, Milton 35
2010: Pace 35, Milton 14

Bay & Rutherford

Rivalry Name: N/A
Series: N/A
Next Meeting: September 4 at Tommy Oliver Stadium
Our Take: The 50th all-time meeting two years ago between Bay County oldest football programs, proved to be one to remember. Bay knocked off Rutherford 26-20 at Tommy Oliver Stadium to claim its first win over its arch-rival since 2010 and just its third win in the series since 2004. Last years meeting wasn’t even close as Bay won their second straight in the series convincingly.

Results over the last five seasons:
2014: Bay 41, Rutherford 7
2013: Bay 26, Rutherford 20
2012: Rutherford 20, Bay 14
2011: Rutherford 52, Bay 14
2010: Bay 28, Rutherford 27

Gulf Breeze & Navarre

Rivalry Name: Publix Beach Bowl Cup
Series: Navarre leads 9-7
Next Meeting: October 30 at Gulf Breeze
Our Take: The two Santa Rosa rivals 17 miles apart, have met the last six years for the Public Beach Bowl Cup trophy. Gulf Breeze dominated the rivalry early on winning six of the first seven meetings, but Navarre has flipped the switch winning the last seven games to take a 9-7 lead in the series. Starting this year, though the game will not only be for pride, it could make or break either team’s playoff hopes as both team are in District 6A-2.

Results over the last five seasons:
2014: Navarre 35, Gulf Breeze 0
2013: Navarre 34, Gulf Breeze 24
2012: Navarre 28, Gulf Breeze 14
2011: Navarre 32, Gulf Breeze 0
2012: Navarre 34, Gulf Breeze 24

Honorable Mention:

Niceville & Choctawhatchee, Baker & Jay, Niceville & Fort Walton Beach, Rutherford & Mosley, Bay & Mosley, Port St Joe & Wewahitchka, Pensacola & Pine Forest, Pensacola Washington & Pensacola, South Walton & Freeport