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‘Ya’ll vs. Us’
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| (Courtesy Photo) South Panola Tigers vs. Olive Branch Conquistadors, one of 15 hot football rivalries featured in the new book: “Ya’ll vs. Us.” |
New book features top football rivalries in state
By Ron Caldwell
Times Sports Editor
For three straight years, Olive Branch and South Panola have battled it out on the gridiron for the 5-A North Half Championship.
The heated rivalry goes back much further than just the recent past, however, dating all the way back to the days of the Chickasaw Conference.
Those factors and more are the reasons that the Olive Branch-South Panola football rivalry is one of 15 featured in a new book called " Y’all vs. Us – Thrilling Tales of Mississippi’s Hottest High School Football Rivalries."
It is the second year in a row that the authors – X.M. Frascogna, Jr. and his two sons, Mike III and Marty – have published a book about football in the Magnolia State.
Their first work was called "Gridiron Gold" about the history and culture of prep football in Mississippi.
"We got the idea for the first book because USA Today and the Wharton School ranked Mississippi number one in the nation for high school football," said Mike Frascogna, a lawyer from Jackson who represents authors and sports figures. "After we did the first book where we interviewed 150 or so high school coaches, we decided to follow it up with one on the top rivalries in the state since so many coaches discussed that topic.
"We started out with about 50 or so rivalries and culled it down to these 15 based on the length of the rivalry and if it was still current," added Frascogna.
He said that the Olive Branch-South Panola selection was a "no-brainer."
"It's been a great rivalry here in the last few years and, it also goes back a long way," he said. "South Panola with their long, record-breaking winning streak has dominated the series lately, but it is still a huge rivalry."
"Olive Branch and South Panola play during the regular season and then meet again in the playoffs. Olive Branch has contributed two wins each year to South Panola's winning streak. But, I think Olive Branch has a great chance to beat South Panola – they are totally commmited to it which makes the rivalry even better," Frascogna said.
The Frascognas’ book explores the dynamics driving the 15 hottest football rivalries. By relating the many untold stories behind these annual gridiron contests, the authors explore how and why these games have become so important to their respective communities.
Told from the various perspectives of current and former players, coaches, cheerleaders and school administrators, together with insights from mayors, sports journalists and fans connected to each of the teams, "Y’all vs. Us" provides readers with a colorful backdrop.
"I think that people associated with Olive Branch and South Panola will learn things about the rivalry that they didn't even know and then they can turn to another of the 14 other chapters and learn about other rivalries around the state," said Frascogna.
He said that the book will be released Aug. 15, with the first copies going to the football booster clubs of the schools featured in the book.
After that, the book will be available through all of the usual book retailers, according to Frascogna.
The heated rivalry goes back much further than just the recent past, however, dating all the way back to the days of the Chickasaw Conference.
Those factors and more are the reasons that the Olive Branch-South Panola football rivalry is one of 15 featured in a new book called " Y’all vs. Us – Thrilling Tales of Mississippi’s Hottest High School Football Rivalries."
It is the second year in a row that the authors – X.M. Frascogna, Jr. and his two sons, Mike III and Marty – have published a book about football in the Magnolia State.
Their first work was called "Gridiron Gold" about the history and culture of prep football in Mississippi.
"We got the idea for the first book because USA Today and the Wharton School ranked Mississippi number one in the nation for high school football," said Mike Frascogna, a lawyer from Jackson who represents authors and sports figures. "After we did the first book where we interviewed 150 or so high school coaches, we decided to follow it up with one on the top rivalries in the state since so many coaches discussed that topic.
"We started out with about 50 or so rivalries and culled it down to these 15 based on the length of the rivalry and if it was still current," added Frascogna.
He said that the Olive Branch-South Panola selection was a "no-brainer."
"It's been a great rivalry here in the last few years and, it also goes back a long way," he said. "South Panola with their long, record-breaking winning streak has dominated the series lately, but it is still a huge rivalry."
"Olive Branch and South Panola play during the regular season and then meet again in the playoffs. Olive Branch has contributed two wins each year to South Panola's winning streak. But, I think Olive Branch has a great chance to beat South Panola – they are totally commmited to it which makes the rivalry even better," Frascogna said.
The Frascognas’ book explores the dynamics driving the 15 hottest football rivalries. By relating the many untold stories behind these annual gridiron contests, the authors explore how and why these games have become so important to their respective communities.
Told from the various perspectives of current and former players, coaches, cheerleaders and school administrators, together with insights from mayors, sports journalists and fans connected to each of the teams, "Y’all vs. Us" provides readers with a colorful backdrop.
"I think that people associated with Olive Branch and South Panola will learn things about the rivalry that they didn't even know and then they can turn to another of the 14 other chapters and learn about other rivalries around the state," said Frascogna.
He said that the book will be released Aug. 15, with the first copies going to the football booster clubs of the schools featured in the book.
After that, the book will be available through all of the usual book retailers, according to Frascogna.
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tracey e adams wrote on Aug 11, 2008 11:48 AM: