By Katelyn Scites, communications intern
This week marks the annual “Battle for Broad Street” game between Licking Heights and Watkins Memorial High school, but what does that mean?
Licking Heights and Watkins have been rivals since the start, primarily because they are in the same town. This rivalry extends to all of their sports, and it even sparks some competition between similar clubs at the schools, including the Young Life programs, who held a paint war two weeks ago with the rivaling schools.
The most commonly discussed vie between the schools is the mid-October football game every year, where the teams compete for Broad Street. When the game is over, the winning school has their name placed on a sign off of Park Avenue, “naming” the street until the other team beat them in following years. Currently, the Hornets have been able to keep their name up as “Hornet Way” for the past four years.
The importance of the Licking Heights-Watkins rivalry continues to grow every year, along with school spirit. Students, staff, parents, and so many more people who were not previously involved in school athletics, all care deeply once the rivalry has entered the conversation. Licking Heights students participate in traditions such as crossing W’s off most signs, posters, or flyers in the building, or attending the spaghetti dinner held by the Pataskala Rotary Club.
“The team of course tries to play hard every game, but this game is the easiest to get excited for, because you hear about it every day, and even people who don’t pay attention to your season talk about the game,” said Kelen Waaland, teacher and varsity football coach, Licking Heights High School.
This year, the “Battle for Broad Street” game takes place at the LHHS football stadium, Fri., Oct. 17, at 7 p.m. Come show your support for Licking Heights on Friday, as the team leads another victory and another year of holding onto Broad Street!