This post comes to us from Granite Senior Blogger Sabrina B.
A rock. Defined as a large mass of stone that makes up a hill, cliff, promontory, or the like. But, if you ask any student attending Olympus or Skyline high school, The Rock is not just a simple mass of stone. The Rock is a legacy, a tradition, even a way of life. Every fall these two high schools meet for a battle unlike any other, and the winner receives the privilege to take home the coveted Rock – a traveling trophy that has been in motion for almost 50 years. If Olympus wins The Rock, then it is painted green for the year and kept in their trophy case. But if Skyline wins The Rock, it is painted blue and likewise the same, put in their trophy case to flaunt for the rest of the year. The Battle of The Rock is one of the most well known rivalries in the state, and it has good reason to be.
There are many people that do not know the story of The Rock, and many people who disagree on how it came to be. Legend has it that it started with a hike up by Mount Olympus by the two opposing football coaches back when Skyline was built. They were talking about the new rivalry when a huge storm came, with thunder and lightning erupting all around them. Lightning struck and a magnificent rock rolled to the feet of the coaches. One lifted it high up in the air and brought it down as a symbol of pride and it has been treasured ever since. A sign of the Gods that The Rock is what the rivalry should be played for! Although that is not the real story of The Rock, it is much more fun to tell. The real story entails the Skyline coach picking up a rock in the construction zone while the school was being built. It is said he picked The Rock that most resembled a football. However, a simple story like that wouldn’t get anyone fired up for the remarkable rivalry!
This year marked the 47th game between the Titans and the Eagles in the Battle of the Rock. Although Olympus had a 5-1 record in region as opposed to Skyline’s 2-4, both teams were prepared for a fight, because with a rivalry like this, nothing is guaranteed. The game was quite the event, with students from other schools attending just to see the rivalry in person! The first quarter started off slowly without anyone scoring, then Olympus began to pick it up. The titans scored seven points in the second, third, and fourth quarter, leaving the Eagles behind with a 21-0 final! The Titans came out on top for the fifth year in a row!
Until next fall The Rock will remain green, and the rivalry flame will be lit once again. Let the games begin.