Nick Wells could feel the enthusiasm growing all week for Friday night’s football game between Mark Morris and R.A. Long high schools.

“The buzz around the school is amazing,” said the 18-year-old Mark Morris senior and ASB President on Wednesday. “It’s the biggest game of our high school career.”

The winner claims the Greater St. Helens League championship, though both teams already are guaranteed slots in the state playoffs.

The game also marks another chapter in a long-standing Civil War rivalry between Longview’s two high schools. It’s a rivalry that, at times, has gotten out of hand. But school officials are determined to keep this Civil War game civil.

“We’re going to have a lot of fun, but we’re going to be positive and we’re going to be good fans,” said Longview Schools Superintendent Suzanne Cusick.

Adults will be monitoring the stands for unruly behavior, and schools officials been reminding students this week about the importance of good sportsmanship, she said.

R.A. Long football coach Erik Bertram said he and Mark Morris coach Shawn Perkins have talked to players this week about “not doing anything dumb to each others’ schools” before the game, referring to past incidents involving pre-game petty vandalism at both schools.

“We’re just trying to win a football game,” Bertram said.

R.A. Long High School Principal Rich Reeves said he expects there will be reminders sent out to students about maintaining good sportsmanship for the game.

“Nothing would make me more proud than if they win or lose, if there were R.A. Long fans on the field and Mark Morris fans on the field saying ‘Great game and good luck next Friday,’ ” Reeves said.

Mark Morris Principal Rod McHattie said the community should be proud to see both schools competing for the league championship, rather than focusing on school rivalry. He encourages adult fans to model good sportsmanship.

“Both teams will be in the playoffs. That’s really good for both teams, for this town. I can’t even remember that happening in the time I’ve been here,” he said.

Several joint-school activities are planned for Friday: Choirs from both schools will join to sing the national anthem. Cheerleaders from both schools will perform a joint half-time routine. And Mark Morris students are invited to a dance at R.A. Long High School after the game.

“We’re trying to show we’ve got unity with both schools,” said R.A. Long Athletic Director Ty Morris.

Teachers from both high schools and throughout Longview School District will be mingling before the game at a family friendly, booze-free tailgate party for district staff.

Mark Morris cheerleader Chelsea Dwyer, 17, said students are excited, calling Friday's tilt “pretty much the most important game between Mark Morris and R.A. Long.”

Despite the high stakes, cheerleaders don’t want things to get out of control, she said.

“We want to lift our team up rather than putting the other team down,” she said.

R.A. Long cheerleader Jordy Mertz, 15, said their school principal has been encouraging good sportsmanship among students all school year. She doesn’t expect to see any problems this year.

To boost school spirit, Mertz said R.A. Long fans can expect “a surprise entrance from our football players onto the field.”

After the game, Mark Morris students area also planning to get together for an activity night called “fifth quarter” at the school. The event will offer pumpkin carving, bingo, badminton, basketball and “Rock Band” video games after the game, Wells said.

Despite Longview’s historic rivalry, many student players are friends with players on the other team, said Perkins, the Mark Morris gridiron coach. Students from both schools have grown up playing sports together, he said.

Perkins’ team is more focused on the big game than the hoopla surrounding the event.

“We can’t get caught up in any of that stuff. That has nothing to do with the game,” he said. “That’s all you should be concerned about is the game. The rest of the stuff doesn’t matter. The rest is window dressing.”

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