Whether it’s the crackling sound of colliding shoulder pads, the commotion of the crowd, or the special feeling of the Friday Night Lights, there’s nothing quite like football in the fall.

The East Jefferson Rivals football team — consisting of athletes from Port Townsend and Chimacum high schools — is gearing up for Year Two and hoping to build upon the regular season successes of last year.

Under the tutelage of Head Coach Tony “Haddy” Haddenham, the Rivals finished with a record of 6-2 last year, making the playoffs before losing in the first round to Eatonville High School.

The Rivals will be without graduates Logan Massie (running back), Chris Fair (offensive line), and others, but the underclassmen will be keen to fill the holes under Haddenham’s smash-mouth offense.

East Jefferson will hope to start on the right foot as they face Kingston High School (who had a 1-9 record last year) in their home opener, scheduled for Sept. 2 at Port Townsend’s Memorial Field.

The Rivals’ first real test will come next week away from home as they face Seattle’s King’s High School, who went 9-2 in 2021 and made a deep playoff push.

The EJ football squad is set to face off against familiar foes in the Nisqually League, including Cascade Christian, Vashon Island, and other opponents.

To wrap up the 2022-23 fall schedule, EJ will hope to get revenge on the road versus Granite Falls, who defeated the Rivals 20-19 in last year’s season opener in Port Townsend.