Last week, Sports Illustrated announced the great high school football rivalries of all time.
Of course, a few Texas high school football programs made the list.
In the SI article 25 best high school football rivalries in America, DeSoto vs. Duncanville (No. 8), El Paso vs. El Paso Austin (No. 11), Nederland vs. Port Neches-Groves (No. 21) all graced the Top 25.
Here’s a breakdown of our local nationally recognized rivalries:
DeSoto vs. Duncanville
Started in 1972, and coming in as the youngest rivalry on this list, both teams have been equally excellent over the past several decades. Both the Eagles and the Panthersare coming into the season as proud back-to-back 6A state champions. Because DeSoto was defeated in the rivalries most recent matchup, the combined regular season and playoffs series is now tied 17-17. Most recently, Duncanville beat DeSoto in the 6A quarterfinals—twice in 2021. The Eagles later got their revenge, snapping the Panthers 47-game win streak last season.
Although the DeSoto vs. Cedar Hill rivalry used to be stronger, the arrival of coach Reginald Samples changed things for Duncanville in 2015. After a forgettable first season, coach Samples has won at least 10 games in every season since. In contrast, in two separate terms with DeSoto, coach Claude Mathis is 140-29 with 10 double-digit winning seasons.
Austin vs. El Paso
‘The Battle of the Claw’ was first played in 1930, marking it as the fifth oldest rivalries in the state. The now iconic trophy, shaped as a literal jungle cat paw, was first introduced in the fall semester of 1960. The bronze trophy is kept by the winner of the ‘Claw Game’.
In the early 2000s, the original Claw trophy was stolen from Austin High School and has never been recovered. A replica of the claw was introduced to keep the rivalry going.
For local El Paso residents, it’s a tradition that keeps on going, from generation to generation.
In the most recent 94th edition of the Battle of the Claw, Austin defeated El Paso 21-19 at R.R. Stadium, marking seven straight for the Panthers.
Nederland vs. Port Neches-Groves
Since 1925, these two programs near the Gulf of Mexico and Louisiana border have met over 100 times. Coined ‘Mid-County Madness’ in 1995, the rivalry was later designated as ‘The Bum Philips Bowl’ to honor Texas coaching legend Bum Philips, who coached both schools in the mid-20th century.
The longtime rivalry is listed as the top rivalry game in Texas high school football by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Magazine.
Port Neches-Groves leads the overall series 53-39-7. They meet again October 25.
If you don’t agree with this list, SI is inviting fans to vote in a poll to determine the best high school rivalry in the country.
The poll will close at 10:59 pm on Thursday, October 17.
Vote here.
Are there any rivalries Sports Illustrated missed? Let us know in the comments!
