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WEIRTON -- The week football fans in Hancock County wait for all year is here -- the annual battle for the Carl Hamill Trophy between Oak Glen and Weir High.
After a few years in Golden Bear possession, the trophy returned to Red Rider Road last fall when Weir High took a 32-13 victory at the Bears Den.
The county rivals will be battling for possession of it for the next year, and the bragging rights that come with it, at Jimmy Carey Stadium for the first time in a few years as the 2021 game was played at Brooke due to turf upgrades not being ready in time.
"This has been one of the staples that has been part of the community for a very long time," Weir High head coach Frank Sisinni said. "It's the 59th meeting between the schools, When the ball is teed up to kick off the season in Week 1, you know the Weir High-Oak Glen rivalry is part of that in West Virginia."
"It's a good rivalry, it's good for not only the communities, but the school system itself," Oak Glen head coach Doug Taylor said. "Our kids are looking forward to it.
The Red Riders are starting their 100th year of football, and hoping to do it with a party at home.
"It's refreshing to have it back at our place," Sisinni said. "It's been a few years. We had a couple good scrimmages, our kids are anxious get out there and play in the game. There is a lot of excitement in the buildup to this season after making the playoffs, but our kids aren't satisfied with how last year ended.
"Our kids are excited to get back on the field and show what they can do."
On the flip side, Taylor knows that his team is, in the eyes of many, the underdog when the opening kick leaves the tee on Friday night -- something he thinks his team can feed off of.
"We're playing the role of the underdog," Taylor said. "Weir High returns a lot of skill and experience, but our kids are up to the challenge. They have been practicing very hard for this game. Hopefully they come out and get it done.
"When you're the underdog, you don't have the pressure, you can just go out and play. For us, we understand the role. We know they're a good team, well-coached … but the kids are going to work hard to get out of Weirton with a W."
While it is just one of 10 games for both clubs, it has gone a long way in setting the tone for the rest of the season. Oak Glen, during it's streak of three-straight wins in the series from 2019-21, made the playoffs all but the 2021 season after winning the opening rivalry clash. Then, last season, Weir High ended its playoff drought after reclaiming the trophy and the Red Riders made the playoffs after winning the game back during the Tony Filberto era.
"Everybody wants to start off on the right foot, but it is just one game," Taylor said.
As for what to expect from the other side, Sisinni knows Taylor is a successful, experienced coach that will give his Red Riders a lot to prepare for.
"We know that Doug Taylor and his staff will have his team ready to go," Sisinni said. "We saw them scrimmage. They run the ball and run a lot of wing-T concepts, but we also know coach Taylor in the past has spread you out and thrown the ball around. We have to be prepared. Coach Taylor is going to use his personnel however is best for his team, he's an experienced coach."
Likewise, Taylor knows the Red Riders return a lot from a playoff team and will be a big challenge for his Golden Bears.
"They're very well-coached," he said of Weir. "Their coaches have some tenure and we know them well, they're personal friends of ours. They're really good people and really good coaches.
"We expect them to run the football and go to play action from that. They're going to lull you to sleep and then hit you deep. They return a lot of defense, too. They have a lot of speed on both sides of the ball.
"It's going to be a task for us, no doubt."
The opening kick is set for 7 p.m.