The Silver Rail Rivalry

Final thoughts on next page

Coach Kostelnik has these final thoughts on the rivalry, “The mutual respect that each city has for the other and how we channel sports into concept. We have so many teachers, former players’ kids, and community members that work so closely with the other city. Then you add the cliché of being separated by railroad tracks that is makes a perfect recipe for an incredible rivalry.

The super intendant for South lives in Avon Lake, which even more adds to the fun tensions that each athletic event brings. It also helps that both schools have had both successful athletics and academics. With all of this I still go back to the mutual respect that we have for each other.

Coach Elder has been great to me, having a shared history at Mount Union, and even my community members are shocked when I say he is a great guy to grab a beer with and shoot the breeze. Sure, do we want to fight each other on a Friday night during the game, of course. But, before the game and after the game we always come together with a sense of pride for our boys and gratefulness that we get to experience this wonderful rivalry.

It was Coach Elder who gave me the advice before the game this year, to enjoy the ride because at the end of the day this opportunity to compete in the way we do is few and far between.”