Rivalry Spotlight: Districts and classes come and go, but Abilene's 'Crosstown Showdown' never loses its luster

Photo by Tom Sooter

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While both Abilene High and Abilene Cooper may play games with more playoff importance, make no bones about it: the Crosstown Showdown still trumps them all. 

“The district ramifications aren’t what they used to be, but this is still about being the top dog in the Abilene school district,” Cooper coach Aaron Roan said this week.

“All of the players know each other,” said Abilene coach Mike Fullen. “This is still a big game for the kids and the families and the city of Abilene. There’s a lot of history between both schools.”

Need evidence that the game hasn’t lost any luster since Cooper dropped to Class 5A, Division I? Fullen expects Shotwell Stadium (official capacity 15,000) to be packed to the gills and maybe beyond, as usual.

“There will be a lot of people there,” he said. “It’s a really exciting night. There will be somewhere between 15,000 and 17,000. We’ve had as many as 23,000 in the stadium before.”

In addition, the 2019 edition has been selected as part of The Great American Rivalry Series. That designation turns the spotlight just a little bit brighter and provides more spoils to the victor. The winners get a championship trophy presented by the Marines, special recognition for the game’s MVP,  and a scholarship presented to a senior scholar-athlete from each team. 

The massive crowd was the first thing Roan noticed when he joined the Cooper coaching staff. Friday’s game marks his 14thCrosstown Showdown, and he remembers the first as though it happened last year.

“It’s a pretty unique atmosphere for the kids to play in,” he said. “I’m from a town that only had 1,000 people in it, so when I get here and there are 10 times that many people in the stadium, it’s pretty interesting. I remember just seeing it, and the noise level was just amazing. It’s just electric.”

It’s been that way from the beginning, when 7,000 fans poured into then Public Schools Stadium to watch Abilene beat Cooper 35-0 in the first showdown. Since that first meeting, the series blossomed into what former Cooper coach Todd Moebes describes as the model Texas high school rivalry.

“There are only a handful of places in Texas that are two-horse towns, and those guys play each other and have been playing each other for so long,” he told the Abilene Reporter News in 2017. “It’s extremely unique to be able to bring the community together and compete on that stage.”

“You know, it’s just a fun, fun game,” Fullen, who took part in his first showdown in 2001. “For the longest time, there were always a lot of ramifications on the game. A district championship or playoff seeding, things like that. You just couldn’t get caught up in that or all of the back and forth between the families and the fans. You just had to stay focused. The biggest deal was keeping your team focused on the task at hand.”

It can be difficult during Showdown week. Both coaches have added responsibility ranging from media requests to pep rallies to taking time to speak with or reply to alumni who pop in with messages of support, good luck and encouragement. 

“That’s just part of the fun of it,” Roan said.

If Roan remembers his first game for the size of the crowd, Fullen remembers his first because it included a dramatic comeback that even the Abilene fans didn’t see coming.

“I was the defensive coordinator, and they had us down probably by a couple of touchdowns,” he recalled. “I believe we ended up kicking an onside kick and getting it, and tying it up to send the game into overtime, and then we blocked an extra point to win the game. I can remember – and there’s actually a photo of it – an aerial photo of people actually leaving before the game was over, thinking we were beat.”

That’s the beauty of the rivalry. Each team picks up its intensity during the week, and the game gives an underdog that much more of a chance.

“You just know you’re going to get the best of the other team this week,” Roan said. “I think collectively each team plays a little bit, maybe, over their heads. There have been years where the quote-unquote better team hasn’t won the game just because of all of the things a rivalry game like this brings.”

“Players on both sides are going to be running faster than they’ve ever run, jumping higher than they’ve ever jumped just because your adrenaline is just pumping,” Fullen said. 

Heading into the 2019 game, Fullen might want to throw out the records, though not the series history given that his Eagles have won four of the last five meetings, including a 20-13 decision last year. His Eagles come in having dropped their first two games while Cooper’s won its first two.

“You can throw out the rankings and the records and all of that when it comes to this game,” he said. “It’s a game where we’ve got to calm down, settle in and play football.”

Fullen said the Eagles need to establish their running game, led by Phonzo Dotson, and limit Cooper’s big-play ability. Cooper running back Noah Garcia averages a first down (10.5 yards) every time he’s carried the ball and is a big play threat each time Roan decides he needs to touch the ball.

“I think if we can establish him run game offensively and eliminate big plays defensively, that will give give us a chance,” he said.

A familiar refrain from two coaches who know each other, respect each other, and wish each other well. That respectfulness is another element that makes the Crosstown Showdown a classic. Both sides know it’s best if the other wins every game after Friday night wraps up.

“For nine weeks every season, we wish them nothing but the best and lots of success and everything like that,” Roan said. “And I know they do the same thing for us. But just not this week.” 

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