By Kelsey Prose
It’s been 34 years that North Jackson High School and Scottsboro High School have been meeting on the gridiron for what has come to be known as The Battle of the Valley. However, if you ask students at either of the schools about the game, they may call it the “Fiercest rivalry in Northeast Alabama.”
As players and fans anxiously await the arrival of football season for North Jackson and Scottsboro, the season’s arrival brings new excitement for the 2021 season. These two rivals will square off on the turf for a week 0 game to begin their seasons like none other. Adding to the anticipation, both programs will showcase their new head coaches.
North Jackson’s Joe Hollis, Jr. and Scottsboro’s Cris Bell will make their head-coaching debuts under immense pressure from both communities to perform in such a highlighted game. Fans connected with each team during the DeKalb County/Jackson County Media Days production while the coaches and players talked about their programs for the upcoming season. When asked about the rivalry game, Coach Bell said that he wanted to move the game to the first week so that “we could have a game that meant something.” Scottsboro had their last two games canceled during the 2020 season due to COVID-19, so the players are “chomping at the bit” to get going. “Both teams play better that game than they do the whole year,” said Cade Holder, starting inside linebacker, about the rivalry game. Gavin McCrary, starting quarterback, said that “North Jackson week is a special week…we respect them (North Jackson)…and everyone loves the rivalry, but at the end of the day we’re all football players, and we’re there to play the game.” Coach Bell talked about their offensive scheme and how they plan to use the option.
While Coach Bell and the Wildcats have 100 guys on their roster, the North Jackson Chiefs will play 43. First-year NJ Head Coach Joe Hollis Jr. said, “We’re going back to the old school days where guys are playing both ways. They’re going to get a lot of reps.” The Chiefs’ summer program felt different to Coach Hollis after the news of the Scottsboro rivalry being moved to week 0. Hollis said, “Being able to move Scottsboro to week 0 has changed the intensity of our summer program…being able to hang a carrot in front of our players that they know what they’re competing for. It’s just so happened to really benefit our players! We are very excited for it!” Players Myron Walten and Peyton King both agreed with the statement, “This game means everything to our community, the school, the players, the coaches, everyone.”
While North Jackson leads the series 21-12, Scottsboro has won six of the last eight meetings. The 34th Battle of the Valley Showdown will be at Scottsboro High School on Friday night, August 20, at 7:00 PM.
