There is one word that comes to the mind of outside linebacker coach Richard Brake when he hears about the South vs. Central rivalry.

“Pride, I think,” coach Brake said. “There is a lot to be said, the way you carry yourself throughout the town, who you see out and about.”

Running back Coach Mark Vaughn also said pride for your school is important.

“You want to beat South that way you can have pride in the town,” Vaughn said. “It’s always an exciting game to play in and coach.”

Head coach Mark Sandbo said that coaches as well as players have to be calm during big games like these.

“It is really important that us coaches have the same composure that the kids have,” Sandbo said. “We’ve got to prepare for it just like we would any other game.”

Coach Sandbo said when you lose seniors there can be some areas that struggle.

“I think there are some spots obviously from that last group that we’re going to miss out on,” Sandbo said. “But I think there are also some spots that if we’re not as good we might be better in them.”

Sandbo said football programs have to be ready to build up their roster after losing seniors; he has had to replace four starters on both offense and defense this season.

“Good programs just rebuild,” Coach Sandbo said, “You have that next man up mentality. And I think we’re kind of no different.”

Coach Brake said he sees leadership in many of the seniors this year.

“I think our leadership this year is starting to step up with people like Jesus Delgado, Cooper Reves, Abram Owings,” Brake said. 

Brake said, himself and many others are eager to see how junior quarterback Griffin Hall will perform.

“We are all excited to see our junior quarterback Griffin Hall get some snaps,” Coach Brake said.

Hall said he is looking forward to filling the quarterback position this season.

“I am excited,” Hall said. “I have been preparing for this and I am excited for this opportunity,” 

Hall, a junior, added that he has found inspiration from older teammates. 

“I have looked up to my older teammates since freshman year,” Hall said. “I mostly look up to Jesus Delgado, Abram Owings, and Cooper Reves.”

Reves, a senior running back, transferred to Central his sophomore year. He said his foundation has only grown since then.

“There has been better opportunity, better people around, and the coaches here are amazing,” Reves said. “I just feel so supported.”

Senior linebacker Jesus Delgado, came to Central from South his freshman year. He has multiple reasons why he does not regret transferring. 

“Everything here is better,” Delgado said, “the culture, people, coaching, and the school colors.”

Sandbo said the game means more to him than any other game does.

“It’s a year full of bragging rights,” Sandbo said. “I think it goes across all sports, football may be the flagship of it. But, the Mayor’s Cup chant usually comes out during the winter, so the kids know each other really well.” 

Sandbo said if all goes according to plan, Friday night could come out in the Mustangs’ favor.

“I think if we can coach and our kids execute, like I think they can execute,” Sandbo said. “It could be a really fun Friday night.”