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SALT LAKE CITY -- In a tradition between two high school football teams, dating back to 1962, one school receives a coveted reward that goes beyond the final score: The Rock.
The Rock is a football-shaped rock that is painted with the winning school's team colors. The losing school's Student Body Officers have to go to the winning school to present The Rock. The coveted prize will be awarded Friday night in the seasoned rivalry between Olympus and Skyline.
"If Olympus wins The Rock, they get The Rock and it's painted green. If Skyline get's The Rock, it's painted blue and it comes to Skyline," said Skyline football coach Roger Dupaix.
A lot of people through the years have battled on the field for The Rock, with both sides badly wanting to win the ultimate bragging rights. But one of the coaches has been on the other side.
This is what high school football is all about. Where else would you rather be on a Friday night?
–Steve Marlowe
Aaron Whitehead, Olympus High School football coach remembers all the rivalry games as a Skyline football player, fighting to win the same prize.
"That's kind of fun. You get excited about that," Whitehead said. "It's gratifying to see something you were a part of have such great success."
As a player, all Whitehead wanted to do was win The Rock to paint it blue -- Skyline's colors. Now, though, he is the head coach -- the green team -- and all of a sudden, blue makes him sick.
"Never in my life did I want to see that thing painted green," Whitehead said. "And now, I'm okay with it being green."
The rivalry game is one of Utah's greatest rivalries in high school football. The two schools are separated by only six blocks, which divides families, but also has a way of bringing the two communities together.
"This is what high school football is all about," said Skyline Athletic Director Steve Marlowe. "Where else would you rather be on a Friday night?"
The Olympus Titans have proudly held The Rock for the past two years, putting a choke hold on the Skyline Eagles.
"I can tell you right now, for sure, I'm happy it's green and I'd be happy to paint it green anytime," Whitehead said.
Both schools will battle it out on the field in their annual rivalry match Friday night. The game will be featured as KSL Game Night Live game of the week, with Rod Zundel calling the game.
Email: acabrero@ksl.com
