In 35 years, the Mountain View-Red Mountain football rivalry has never held as much weight as tonight’s game is balancing. 

Save for playoff games in 2000 and 2023, the winning team in this series has never gained much more than bragging rights and a trophy based on a street sign (or in this case a road). 

But tonight is different and the stakes are much higher.

The results will dictate playoff fate, and potentially a berth in the Open playoff division, certainly a milestone achievement for either program.

Red Mountain coach Kyle Enders can speak to this, having grown up in the community and starring for the Mountain Lions as a two-way player from 2004-2006.

“I was just talking about this last night. There’s never been a bigger game between these schools in the regular season,” Enders said. “We know we have to win to make sure we get into the Open. (Mountain View) is 8-1 and I’m sure they’d love nothing more than to spoil that for us. But it’s really the first time this game has more on the line than just bragging rights. It’s huge for both of our postseason positioning.”

'Open' Season?

Two weeks ago, the Mountain Lions were 7-0 and considered a lock for the eight-team Open playoff division. Even with a loss or two, Red Mountain's schedule has been a gauntlet, which should work to its advantage.  Mountain View included, Red Mountain’s opponents are a combined 58-33, making its season all the more impressive.

But close losses to Queen Creek and Hamilton–plus the witchcraft of the power point formula–have the Mountain Lions at No. 9 in the power rankings. Even so, a win tonight would all but guarantee a spot in the Open.

“That’s what we’ve wanted all along,” says Enders. “It’s our fault for slipping up the last two weeks.”

Mountain View’s path to 8-1 has come with less resistance. The Toros are averaging 50 points a game, and they’ve blown through a Fiesta region in which they are simply far superior.
That being said, Mountain View is averaging nearly 20 points more per game than last season. Junior quarterback Brady Goodman is dual threat and plays with a similar style as Red Mountain’s Simon Lopez, while putting up staggering numbers: 32 passing touchdowns, nine rushing TD’s, and nearly 1,900 passing yards with only three interceptions. It’s also worth noting that Goodman started against Red Mountain two years a freshman and held his own. The Toros lost 21-14 and the game was in doubt until the last drive. 

But through nine games, the Toros have yet to play in a close one, including their 49-20 loss to Liberty in week three. Six straight blowouts have probably left Mountain View almost bored, if not looking ahead to tonight's showdown.

“This game is something we’ve worked for all year,” Toro linebacker Beckham Barney said earlier this week. “We’ve kind of had Red Mountain on our minds and the Open on our minds, so it’s our chance tonight to go take it.”

Barney admitted revenge as a factor as well. Last year in week 10, the Toros beat the Mountain Lions 28-21, only to wake up the next morning and learn they’d be hosting Red Mountain in the first round of the 6A playoffs. The Mountain Lions prevailed 20-14 and made a run to the state championship game. 

As for Mountain View’s Open chances, the Toros currently sit at No. 12, but are 24 points behind No. 11 Hamilton. Even with a win tonight against Red Mountain and a 9-1 record, it still might not be enough. 

But that's not the focus.

“There’s no point in speculating or getting worked up over the formula,” Enders said, “But the fact that both these teams are playing for that is what makes tonight’s game so special for this rivalry. It's never really happened. There are so many good ball players and families in this part of town. It should be like this every year.”

'Rivals' or just Neighbors?

In reality, the Mountain View-Red Mountain football rivalry has never truly blossomed, at least by definition. According to Merriam Webster, the word ‘rival’ can mean an ‘equal’ or ‘peer’. With these football programs, rarely have both been championship contenders at the same time or era. Legitimate rivalries only sustain life and intensity when both teams are competitive. For many years, this just simply wasn’t the case. The first game was played in 1989. The first time Red Mountain ever scored against Mountain View was 1993, The first victory over the Toros came in 2000. The Lions beat them again in a first round playoff game en route to their first state championship. Red Mountain repeated as state champs in 2001 with a 13-1 record. It’s only loss was to Mountain View. 

Finally, a legitimate rivalry was born. 

But not really.

Other than proximity and addresses on Brown Road, there wasn’t much fuel to the rivalry fire. Mountain View would go on to win six of the next seven meetings, and from 2009-2011 they didn’t even play. The next eight years after that, Mountain View struggled as a program while Red Mountain steadily improved while beating up on its Brown Rd counterparts. It’s not that the Lions didn’t enjoy superiority, it's just that any lopsided relationship loses its luster at some point.

Fortunately, the Toro program has resurrected itself in the last few years, getting back to the playoffs and beating Red Mountain in 2020 and week 10 of last season. But as mentioned, the Lions came right back to flip that win on its back.

“That was a great win last year, but then they ended our season and its something we’ve thought about since the Spring,” Barney said.

A 'real' rivalry clash

In addition to all that’s at stake, it’s the type of storylines Barney mentioned that elevate rivalries. When both teams are relevant the games mean more, the stands are full and fans around the state check the score all night. Those elements have all taken shape for tonight.

Another fun side dish this evening: Red Mountain has three players who all played for Mountain View last season and beyond. Jackson Bogle, Riggs Metcalfe and Karendus Poe. Metcalfe returned an interception for a touchdown in last year’s week 10 contest. Bogle was a varsity mainstay for the Toros since his sophomore year, and his father Nick was also a three-year starter for the Toros.

All three experienced the pain of last year’s season ending against the team they now play for and on the same field they return to this evening. Players transfer all the time. But usually to the school next door  

Up until kickoff, they may feel twilight zone vibes. 

But will that play a factor?

“It’s going to be different that’s for sure,” Bogle said this week. "However, we need to treat it like any other game, We know what’s at stake. We want the Open title. Mountain View isn’t to be taken lightly. I grew up playing with those kids, and they have some great playmakers we need to be aware of…we’re hungrier than ever to show we still deserve an Open position.”

All things considered, tonight’s contest should make for an electric football environment. A close game would make even better theater. The best case scenario is a close game that would elevate the rivalry, its intensity and long-term endurance.

Big Game Big Stage

The biggest question is how Mountain View will handle an elite opponent for the first time in six weeks. Red Mountain’s schedule has afforded it close games, situational football and setbacks.

“We’ve come through against top competition and we’ve also been punched in the face, so hopefully that’s to our advantage,” Enders added.

In a game like this anything is possible. But the quarterback position might  play a big role. Goodman has played brilliantly all season, but unlike his counterpart, he has yet to deal with much adversity. 
SImon Lopez has an experience advantage, with nearly two full seasons under his belt in which he’s experienced just about everything: Bad games, close losses, two overtime playoff wins and a state championship appearance. He's coming off two close losses, but he also played his best against the state’s best defense (ALA-QC) and engineered the game winning drive to beat the Patriots. 
But let's not forget that Goodman was able to handle business two years ago as a freshman against Red Mountain. That demonstrated his ability to handle the pressure of the big stage, which is where both teams find themselves tonight.  

It's about time.