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By KEVIN ECKLEBERRY

Daily News

The Callaway Cavaliers and Troup Tigers combined for about 1,000 yards and more than 100 points in a memorable, thrilling showdown last season.

After falling behind 40-14, the Tigers staged a stirring second-half comeback and got within three points, but it was the Cavaliers hanging on for a 56-45 victory in a wild game.

On Friday night at Callaway Stadium, those two county rivals will get together once again, and this will be the 11th all-time meeting between the programs.

Callaway and Troup met for eight consecutive seasons beginning in 2008, and after not playing in 2016 and 2017, the rivalry resumed in 2018.

That 2018 showdown was noteworthy because of the success both teams went on to enjoy.

Troup, which beat Callaway 37-20 that year, went 12-2 and reached the Class AAAA semifinals for the second time in the history of the program.

Callaway, meanwhile, finished with an 11-3 record in 2018, and its season ended with a loss to Rockmart in the Class AA semifinals.

Last year, Callaway went 12-2 and made it back to the semifinals before losing to Brooks County, while Troup went 6-5 and advanced to the state playoffs for a fourth consecutive year.

Expectations are high for both teams once again this season, setting the stage for what should be another special night at the stadium.

Troup head coach Tanner Glisson said having both programs performing at a high level “makes it fun.”

“I see where they’re preseason ranked number one in the state in some polls, and I don’t know if we’re still in any polls or not, but I feel like by the end of the season we may be,” Glisson said. “It’s a really great rivalry.”

Troup was unable to overcome six turnovers in a 28-14 loss to Harris County last week, while this will be Callaway’s season opener.

Pete Wiggins, who has a 138-47 record in his previous 15 seasons as Callaway’s head coach, knows how much this game means to the community.

“The kids, the families know one another,” Wiggins said. “They’re cross-town rivals. So it’s what Friday nights should be. It’ll be a big atmosphere, and we’re looking forward to it.”

Troup will be off next week before opening its Region 2-AAAA schedule on Sept. 25 against Hardaway.

“These two games against Harris County and Callaway will prepare us extremely well (for region play),” Glisosn said.

Callaway, meanwhile, will play Douglass-Atlanta, Hardaway and Thomas County Central before closing the regular season with four Region 5-AA games.

“It’ll be high emotions in (the Troup) game, and it’ll be physical, and it’ll come down to the wire just like many of the other ones did,” Wiggins said. “Hardaway, Douglass and Thomas County Central are all tough opponents. They’re all in high classifications than we are. We feel like those teams should prepare us for our region, and in our region, we’ll face some great challenges in Heard County, and Bremen, and Haralson County and Temple. We feel like our schedule is difficult, but it’s one that we embrace.”

Troup vs. Callaway history

2008 – Troup won 15-7

2009 – Troup won 13-10

2010 – Callaway won 29-0

2011 – Troup won 17-10

2012 – Callaway won 28-7

2013 – Callaway won 34-21

2014 – Troup won 37-27

2015 – Callaway won 42-24

2018 – Troup won 37-20

2019 – Callaway won 56-45