The classic rivalry between Rockville and Richard Montgomery High School continues on the football field this evening, Oct. 10, on home turf for the Rockets.

RHS and RM are two schools in the same city which equals big competition.  They have long been rivals, but each year the players have their own experiences with the rivalry and anticipation for the upcoming game.

“I feel as though the rivalry is fair, because it has gone on for a very long time. Both teams seem to have similar records and the schools are located very close together,”  RM football player Matthew Parks said. 

It is hard to anticipate the outcome of the game in any given year; both teams put in effort and determination to prepare specifically for the rivalry game and hope to put their best product on the field. 

“What the team has been doing to prepare for the rivalry game is that we have been watching their film from the past weeks and we are making a game plan so we can beat them on their turf,” RHS senior Gabrial Devanadera said. 

Both teams study each other to get a sense how the game might play out. Last year, even though Rockville was prepared, they lost. This year they are trying to change that. 

“I do believe that last year’s team did play to the best of their ability even though we lost. I still think to this day that we should have won the game.” Devanadera said. 

RHS students are hopeful for a better outcome this year too.

“I feel that we can win because with this new coach and RM and losing many of their good players, we have a big chance of beating them in this big game,” senior Inferno leader Lucas Kanerak said. 

Not only does this game feel different for the players on the field, the energy feels different in the stands. Historically, more people in the stands means more pressure and more team spirit.

“I feel like there is more spirit at rivalry games especially since RM is very close to Rockville. People will still go because it’s so close to Rockville,” Kanerak said. “The student section goes wild.”