On September 12th, the Pokes will play the Irish in the town east of Abilene for the 132nd year of the longest rivalry this side of the Mississippi River. The Irish will try to defeat Abilene for the first time in four years. Abilene has been dominating the rivalry, winning the last three matchups by an average of 28 points. Abilene’s seniors have never lost to the Irish in football, whether it be at Eisenhower, AMS, or AHS. They don’t plan on starting now.

“I understand [we’ve never lost], but at the same time we can’t take them for granted. We have to understand that even though we beat them every year, it’s still a good game,” senior Jaxson Cuba said.

Present-day players aren’t the only people with beating the Irish in mind. Rivalry week has begun at AHS, and past players have held the same disdain for the Irish to this day.

“I still have that desire to win. I refuse to wear green or own green in my clothing, they still rub me the wrong way. I’m always excited to play those guys, even more excited after we win,” coach Corey Casteel said.

Friday will be another entry in the great rivalry that is Abilene vs the Irish. The distaste for the other team is as strong for both sides as it has ever been. If you haven’t observed it yet, this story was written without using the first letter of the town the Irish are from. Go Pokes, grind the green.