Lassiter vs. Walton: The Rivalry

Of course it's a football game. 

When two of the Top 10 teams in Class AAAAAA get together, it's a very big football game. 

As both of their meetings were last year, including the state semifinals. 

But when Lassiter High School and Walton High School square off in anything, it's more than the "East Cobb Super Bowl" in football terms. 

In addition to their multi-sport athletic prowess, Walton and Lassiter will be boasting their highly touted marching bands. 

And both are among the top academic high schools in Cobb County and Georgia. 

Tonight's game at Lassiter's Frank Fillman Stadium is also Homecoming for the Trojans, with a parade veering down Shallowford Road from the Home Depot on Sandy Plains Road to the school starting at 5:30 p.m. 

The football stakes are extremely high, even in mid-season. Lassiter is ranked No. 2, with a 5-0 record and 2-0 in Region 5-AAAAAA. Walton is ranked 6th, sporting a 4-1 record and also 2-0 in the same region. (Milton and Etowah are also 2-0 in region games.)

The Trojans will be looking to end Walton's long dominance in the series. The Raiders are 20-10 all-time against Lassiter, including both games last season.

Former Lassiter running back Tyren Jones has already rushed for more than 1,000 yards for Walton, and he's the focal point of the offense again. 

But the Raiders have been struggling defensively this season, and Lassiter quarterback Eddie Printz has thrown for more than 1,300 yards and 13 touchdowns.

If you can't get to the game, you can watch online via Georgia Public Broadcasting's web stream. The feed begins at 7:15, with kickoff slated for 7:30 p.m. 

In other East Cobb-area games Friday: 

• Wheeler (3-2 and 0-2 in Region 5-AAAAAA) visits Roswell (1-4, 0-2) in a region game;
• Pope (3-2) opens its Region 7B-AAAAA schedule at Osborne (1-4);
• Kell (4-1) travels to Riverwood (5-0) to begin its Region 7B-AAAAA slate.

Sprayberry (1-4) is idle this week.