Rivalries are a common part of life, especially in high school, where competition runs strong. A rivalry is more than just a disagreement, it’s a spirited contest between two sides who constantly try to outdo each other. They can create tension at times, but they also build pride, motivation, and memories.
The most well-known rivalry and the most historical at St. Pius X is with Marist, nicknamed the Fishbowl. The two schools played each other for the first time in1962, and the game ended in a 12-12 tie. While Marist is certainly the school’s biggest rival, it’s not the only one. Each sport seems to have its own heated matchups that bring out extra energy from the players and fans.
“Of course there’s always Marist, but Druid Hills is a big rival for us given the skill of their team,” said sophomore volleyball player Eveliina Campbell. “Because of their skill, it makes the win harder to achieve, therefore also pushes us to succeed.”
Sometimes rivalries can be based on the environment the other team creates as well as their skill.
“Our biggest rival would most likely be Southwest DeKalb because of how good their team is but also the environment their team and parents create,” said senior basketball player Parker Lee said. “The parents are always loud and their section is usually pretty filled, which makes us want to win even more.”
Sophomore girls lacrosse player Valentina Alfonso Perez said, “Blessed Trinity is our biggest game or rival because of how hard our team plays as well as BT. It’s always a close game, and everyone puts everything out on the field to earn the desired win.”
Even within the same sport rivalries can form for different reasons, from past players and coaches to the intensity of previous games.
Freshman boys lacrosse player Charlie Gratch said, “Decatur is one of our main rivals now because the coach used to work at St. Pius, so it makes our games feel a lot more intense and everyone really wants to see who comes out on top.”
Rivalries at St. Pius go far beyond just one team or one sport. Whether it’s volleyball, basketball, or lacrosse, each team has its own opponents that bring out their competitive spirit. These rivalries not only make the games more exciting, but they also unite students, athletes, and fans under the same goal, representing St. Pius with pride.
