The Greatest Rivalries

Among the great current rivalries for Scottsboro are games with North Jackson, Fort Payne and Guntersville.

Although the North Jackson series has only been in effect since 1988, it is one of most intense in high school football. Fans are known to show up hours before kickoff to secure a great seat while both communities begin discussing the game when schedules are released. The first meeting between the Wildcats and Chiefs took place at the old Stevenson High School stadium, one of the most intimidating locales for a visiting team. The game came down to a last-second field goal as the Chiefs claimed the victory 17-14. The Wildcats first win came a year later as an outstanding 1989 squad completely dominated the Chiefs, winning 41-0. The 1995 and 1996 games were some of the best in all of high school football, both games being decided on the field by last-second field goal attempts.

The rivalry with Fort Payne, then DeKalb County High School began in 1925 and which was the better team was not settled as the game ended in a scoreless tie. It would be three years before the teams would meet again with DeKalb County winning 6-0. Scottsboro (Jackson County High School) would record their first win over their rival in 1937 by a score of 18-0. For many years, the game was scheduled around the Jackson County Fair and was usually won by DeKalb Count . Seven times the teams have met for Scottsboro's homecoming, the last homecoming meeting in 1979. In recent years, the game has had added importance with playoff implications for both teams as they have been paired as Area opponents. Another important aspect of the game is a special trophy presentation to the winning team sponsored by each town's respective newspaper, The Daily Sentinel in Scottsboro and the Times-Journal in Fort Payne. The teams have played every year since 1947.

One of the oldest rivalries for Scottsboro is that with Guntersville, known in earlier years as Marshall County High School. The first game of record took place in 1915 with Marshall County winning 18-0. Scottsboro, then Jackson County won over their rival for the first time in 1919 by a 48-0 count. Record winning streaks for both schools stand at six, with Jackson County dominating in the 1960's under legendary Coach John Meadows and Marshall County dominating in the 1950's under coaching legend Joe Chorba. Both reams have sported great players in games past with intense play on the field. The schools have failed to meet only three times since 1946 (1971, 2000, 2001).

Though there have been other great games for Scottsboro against outstanding opposition, the contests with North Jackson, Fort Payne and Guntersville stand as among the best not only in Scottsboro football history but in the overall history of high school football in Alabama.