By Lucy Stoter

Staff Writer

    A rivalry continues to build through the years, but will it last much longer? R.J. Reynolds High School and Mount Tabor High School students anticipate the yearly rivalry games. The games are filled with positive attitudes, cheering, and music. These games are a core experience for students as they create a competitive environment where students can participate. But will these rivalry games last much longer?

    The new conference realignment of schools in Forsyth and surrounding counties has split the major rivalry between Mount Tabor and RJR. In this new plan, RJR belongs to the 8A/7A conference while Mount Tabor is in the 7A/6A conference. 

    “The feeling of getting ready to go play your biggest rival is so exhilarating, and now it is gone,” Sophomore and athlete, Mary Leinbach said. 

   The football environment will be altered, as will the environments of other sports, including basketball, soccer, lacrosse, field hockey, and baseball. 

    “When I’m getting ready to play a nonconference game, I am never as excited as I would be to play a conference game, where I know it impacts our future for playoffs,” Leinbach said. “Of course, you want to try and play your best against nonconference teams, but nothing will compare to the strive to win versus a conference team, especially Mount Tabor.” 

    Tabor games hold a special place in the hearts of many of the athletes at RJR. Every athlete strives to win a rivalry game, and many favorite memories come from these games and victories. 

    “Beating Mount Tabor in OT at their home field was definitely a top experience,” Leinbach said. 

    Not only playing a sport but sitting on the sideline and cheering on your team has just the same thrill.            Senior Rowdy President Sean Lewis is a prominent figure at these big rivalry games.     “Every rivalry is fun to attend but my favorite memory is definitely storming the field at Tabor in football in my junior year after RJR’s first win against Tabor since 2009,” Lewis said.  

    Memories like these leave some students believing that the Tabor and Reynolds rivalry will live on, even with the split of conferences. It is a competitiveness and tradition that can’t be changed or even replaced by any team in the new conference. 

    “This rivalry is so different from others because of the deep history and intense emotions that come with it,” Leinbach said. “The rivalries go beyond just a game and carry years of fierce competition and fan passion. Everyone enjoys bragging rights and holding the upper hand until the next showdown, it feels even more exhilarating when it’s against Mount Tabor.”

    For now, all students can do is wonder what will come of next season’s schedule. The years of rivalry and its fate are up in the air and only time will tell.