This week, football fans have another big rivalry game to look forward to.
While a lot of people anticipated a big clash between Tennessee and Alabama last weekend, there's an even bigger game this week.

Am I talking about the Tennessee-South Carolina game on Saturday night? Or maybe it's the game - formerly known as "The World's Largest Cocktail Party" - that pits the Florida Gators against the Georgia Bulldogs.
Both guess would be wrong.

The big game I'm referring to is Sweetwater hosting Sequoyah on Thursday night.
I know what several of you are thinking right now.
How could a game that features two teams with a combined record of 1-17 possibly play in a big-time game?
The answer is simple.
Pride is on the line.

In this county, figuring out the rivals is a quick process.
All three teams have healthy rivalries with the likes of McMinn Central, Polk County, and Meigs County.
Then there are teams like Loudon, which won't win any popularity contests in Sweetwater.
But the intra-county rivalries are unique.

While all three fan bases get along fairly well on most days their teams don't play each other, it gets serious once the county matchups come along.
When Sweetwater and Tellico Plains kicked off the season, there wasn't a seat to be found on either side of the field.

Fans lined up around the fence and created a very impressive atmosphere.
The next week, the stands were filled once again when the Bears traveled to Sequoyah.
Sure, neither Sequoyah nor Sweetwater has had the year they envisioned when fall drills started.
But that shouldn't hamper the enthusiasm this game usually creates.
In the first game I covered here, both sides of King Berrong Stadium were packed - at 6 p.m.
That's an hour and a half before kickoff.

Last year, not only were the stands filled, but so too were the hillside and end zones when the Cats and Chiefs met.
Yes, the game is on a Thursday night.
Yes, it's been a long, grueling season.
But there's still way too much at stake for this to just be another game.
Whether the teams enter the game undefeated or winless, it should still mean just as much to the people of each community.

For Sequoyah, it's a chance to avoid a winless season for the first time in school history and to beat the Wildcats for only the second time.
For the Wildcats, it's an opportunity to get their second win of the season and in the district.
It's also a chance to set a good tone heading into off-season workouts.
This game might get a passing glance in the Knoxville and Chattanooga papers.
It probably won't be discussed by people from all part of the state on CoachT.

But the game is for pride, and that's always something worth playing for.
Basketball practice begins
With football drawing to a close for Sweetwater and Sequoyah this week, and Tellico making its bid for the playoffs, the start of basketball practice will quietly come and go.
Monday was the official beginning as it's the first day teams across the state are allowed to practice.
The last time we saw these teams on the court there was heartbreak all around.
On February 20, four teams lost in the District 5-AA tournament.

One day earlier, two more were eliminated.
It was a gut-wrenching day and one I hope these teams have let serve as motivation for the off-season.
Especially considering each team held a lead at some point in nearly all those games.
On paper, Tellico Plains looks to be at the top right now.
Moving down to District 3-A helps, but so does having a number of solid players back.
The Lady Bears, especially, could be in store for a great season.

We're still a few weeks from the season beginning, but it's nice to know there's life after football.