It’s been 17 years since the Goodrich and Brandon high school soccer teams battled for the County Line Cup. The fight for the trophy included seven games between 1985 and 1992, 1989 excluded, and was dominated by the Blackhawks.
At 6:45 p.m., Tuesday, the battle will be revived at the Brandon High School soccer field.
‘I’m not sure why they stopped playing the game,? said Brandon Athletic Director Wayne Thompson, who found the old trophy in a high school closet. ‘I contacted both Brandon and Goodrich coaches’they agreed it’s time to get this going once again.?
Both varsity soccer coaches are familiar with the Blackhawk-Martian battles’Brandon Coach Phil Kimmel and Goodrich Coach Evan Huizenga played on their respective teams in the Martian-Blackhawk game in the mid-1990s.
Brandon outscored Goodrich during the seven meetings for the cup by a combined score of 48-5.
‘It’s very exciting’it’s a matter of bragging rights,? said Huizenga. ‘It’s a big time game’one that we looked forward to years ago, and one that should get a lot of attention now. Somewhere we lost that rivalry. Part of the issue is we are not in the same league.?
Brandon Coach Phil Kimmel, in his third season as Blackhawks coach, is eager to get the battle back.
‘When Evan and I first talked about the game, we decided it would be great for both communities,? said Kimmel. ‘Goodrich won the soccer state championship last year and we, too, had a great season. And, while I’d love to keep the cup right here in Brandon’I’d love to see a great game between two top notch teams.?
A trophy will also be constructed for the girls varsity soccer teams, which compete in the spring.