The last time the two rivals played, Josey walked away with a controversial win that left Laney steaming.

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On a Saturday afternoon in November 2007, the Eagles shocked the Wildcats, 13-12. Josey snapped a seven-game losing streak to its longtime nemesis.

"It felt good," said Eagles senior wide receiver/strong safety Johnny Franklin. "It was kind of cool having bragging rights."

Because of the Wildcats' 10-game region schedule the past two years, the rivalry was put on hold. At 7:30 tonight, Laney will play host to Josey, resuming a series that began in 1964.

"That'll be neat for our kids," Wildcats coach Lemuel Lackey said. "For the community, you always want to have the bragging rights over a cousin or a neighbor."

The past two seasons, Josey and Laney played preseason scrimmages. Still, it didn't have the same feel, Lackey said.

"I'm glad we were able to get it done this year," he said. "It's not the same when you play a scrimmage."

Tonight's matchup will be an important one for both programs. Josey, following its season-opening win over Cross Creek, is looking to go 2-0 for the first time in 11 seasons.

Laney (0-1), which lost six turnovers in last week's defeat at Strom Thurmond, is trying to avoid opening the season with consecutive losses for the first time since 1999.

John Noah understands the intensity of this rivalry. He worked for 11 years at Laney. He is now in his sixth year at Josey, second as head coach.

"It's another football game for us," Noah said. "But it is a rivalry game."

Noah said Laney hasn't forgotten about the last time the teams got together. Three years ago, Josey won for just the 14th time in 44 tries against its rival, pulling out a close win.

In that contest, Laney's band got into an altercation with the Josey football team. Then, there was the game's wild ending.

The Wildcats, who failed on an extra-point attempt and then couldn't convert a two-point run after scoring a pair of touchdowns, had the ball at the Eagles 4-yard line in the final 15 seconds.

A Josey player kicked the ball, causing a delay of game penalty. Officials advanced the ball to the 2 and started the clock. With no timeouts left, Laney couldn't get a play off as the clock expired.

"Yes sir, they remember that game," Noah said.

That contest marked the second year in a row one point separated the teams. In 2006, Laney defeated Josey, 15-14.

Laney is looking to continue its winning ways tonight against Josey. Wildcats quarterback Leo Myers, who said this game is a friendly rivalry, grew up playing football with several Josey players.

"They talk junk; I talk junk," he said. "Beating them, it's just bragging rights for the city."