Frank Workman on Sports: The essence of sports - and rivalries

By Frank Workman

It's finally arrived.  It's here at last.

The one day a year when students and fans from rival schools Shorecrest and Shorewood all gather in one place to cheer their lungs and root their hearts out in hopes of helping their team emerge victorious Friday night at 7 in the annual Rotary Cup football game at Shoreline Stadium, in front of what is expected to be an overflow and festive crowd.

At practice Thursday, both coaches pronounced their teams fit as fiddles and ready for the fur to fly.   

Shorewood coach Rob Petschl, the epitome of the eternal optimist,  proclaimed QB Aaron Miller and WR Chris Namba ready to return to the fray after being sidelined last week for their game against Meadowdale.

Shorecrest coach Brandon Christensen marveled at the recuperative powers that occur during what his team calls   " 'wood Week".

Both squads come into the contest with even marks of 1-4.  Both teams picked up their only win during Week 2 of the season.

The Scots hold a commanding 23-10 lead in the series, including the last 8 in a row over the T-Birds, dating back to 2003.

The teams would appear to be evenly matched, as both teams have struggled to score, while allowing their respective opponents more points than they would have liked.

Expect a memorable night and a close game - one that could go down to the final play.

For one team Friday night, dreams will come true, while for the other, a defeat will nag at them for the rest of their lives.

Until the day they become parents themselves, it's quite likely that nothing in their lives will matter this much to the boys playing in the game.

It is the very essence of what sports, and rivalries, are all about.