I don't think you have to have championship implications to have a great rivalry. You do have to have two motivated fan bases, teams, communities, etc. that live and die for the matchup. I haven't been to most of these games, so I won't comment on which one is best, but I think the championship angle sometimes gets played up too much in these conversations.
The Pisgah-Tuscola rivalry is a case in point. I know folks from both communities, and you are just as likely to hear about this game in the middle of February as you are during the season.
Swain-Murphy is a good example of championships being present but not necessary for a rivalry. I know some Bryson City folks that won't spend money in the town of Murphy for any reason just because they hate Murphy that much, and I know the love is reciprocated. This is a game I have been to, and the tension is fantastic. Both teams waiting for the other to come out of the locker room first just to screw with each other is a nice touch.
At any rate, you can't argue with the number of championships and success in the Crest-Shelby matchup and the implications of state and conference titles will always add drama to a rivalry, I just don't think that is the end all-be all of a rivalry.
middle school. The others will be headed that way soon. I've had to come around....one of the hardest things I have ever had to do....lol. The younger two that aren't there yet are the two that are on my side and say they will stay that way despite eventually going to Crest.
