Matthew Ross is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Maryvale High School sports for AZPreps365.com

Maryvale is set to take on its 4A Copper Sky region rival Alhambra Lions (1-5) on Oct.14 for the first time since last season's brawl on Nov. 13, 2021. 

Both the Panthers (0-5) and Lions have had similar records in the past few football seasons.

Maryvale hopes to capture the schools first victory in almost four years as the narrative has been their 26-game losing streak dating back to Oct. 26, 2018. The last win Maryvale had was against Alhambra in the previous week.

The Lions have had very comparable seasons to the Panthers dating back to 2018, averaging about one win per year, almost always against Maryvale.  They come into this game with one win on the season against the Ricon/University Rangers, 32-10.  

Although their records are not tremendous, the two rivals take this game very seriously.  The fact that they're Phoenix Union District schools close in proximity adds a hometown element to the tension in their matchup.

The past few meetings between the teams have swung in the Lions favor, winning the past two of three.The Panthers in their last outing against the Lions lost 30-12.  The sophomore running back at the time Dekyndrick Evans carried the ball 19 times for 112 yards and a touchdown for the Panthers, but that wasn't the largest narrative as there was a large fight involving both teams.

“There is a nice rivalry, the kids actually had a bit of a brawl with them last year.” Maryvale head coach Byron Traynor said. “Not only is it a local team, they are one of our rivals [...] and it's going to be a bit of a grudge match.” 

The two teams usually unintentionally compete for the second to last spot in the conference, adding to the density of the game and bragging rights of the fans or students. There is a strong emotional value from the students as many of them have friends from the other school.

“Since the fight we have all been counting down the days until we meet them again,” Maryvale junior David Castillo said.  

The tension between the two teams is palpable and there is a lot on the line for the Panthers' first regional game. However it doesn't faze sophomore quarterback Devin Murphy.

“It's another game, another battle, for me it's really like any other game plan.” Murphy said.

He wants his team to perform like business as usual and not get caught up in the hype as tempers rose last year.

The game's theme will be Little League and Junior High Night. The athletes from all the peewee teams will be brought out at half time and recognized. 

“Keep the babies at home,” said Traynor.

Maryvale hopes to bring these kids out in order to get them to fall in love with the Panthers program and the Friday night lights, as well as get more parents and fans involved in the game.