“The Rivalry Thrives”

The Marianna vs Chipley football rivalry added another log to the fire (reference last week’s Simply Put) this past Friday night as the Tigers pulled off an exciting 49-42 victory over the Bulldogs. The game didn’t say much for either teams defense but the offensive fireworks made this a game that will be remembered along with the many great games in this long time rivalry.

As I noted last week a check of the record book reveals that the only team that Marianna has played more than Chipley is Walton. By the way I compiled that record book after realizing years ago that there is not one central record book that contains all the records for the past Bulldog football squads. That record book was compiled from old yearbooks and old newspaper articles that I painstakingly researched on microfilm. It should also be noted that my “record book” is missing most records from 1926-1936 because I have been unable to locate much or any information about those years. All that said, here is what we do know. Marianna played Walton and Chipley during the Bulldog’s first season in 1925. The Bulldogs tied Walton 6-6 and beat Chipley 13-0. And so the rivalries were born. Counting 1925 and since 1936 Marianna has played Walton 73 times, winning 43 and losing 25. There have been three ties (back before the tie breaker system was implemented) and there are two games (1937 & 1938) in which I know they played but do not know the outcome. Since 1936 there has only been five season (1980, 81, 82, 95, 96) in which Marianna did not play Walton.

Counting 1925 and since 1936 the Bulldogs have now squared off against Chipley 67 times. Since 1936 there has only been seven season (1937, 42, 43, 69, 75, 76, 79) in which we did not play Chipley. If you think the Chipley rivalry has been close you would be right on target. Going into this past Friday nights game both teams had won 31 apiece and there had been four ties. So after this past Friday night Chipley now has a 32-31 edge on the Bulldogs.

And that is what makes great rivalries, close games and each side winning their fair share. If you’ve ever noticed, it’s not much of a rivalry if your team wins all the time. Some will recall that a few Chipley folks were downplaying the rivalry during the late 80’s and early 90’s. That’s because Chipley won 9 straight games before the Bulldogs broke the drought with a 29-20 win in 1995. After four straight Bulldog wins from 1997-2000 it was once again a big game to the Tiger fans.

So this past Friday night’s was another great game in this age old rivalry. And even though the ‘Dogs were on the losing side, the game was one for the record books. Simply Put, the rivalry is alive and well.

From the front porch: Coach said to learn from yesterday, live for today and hope for tomorrow.