The pomp and circumstance isn't nearly the same, but North Callaway coach Don Boulware is reminded of a storied, traditional college clash when he contemplates the annual Callaway Cup rivalry football game.
Boulware's North Callaway Thunderbirds (1-0) square off against South Callaway coach Zack Hess' Bulldogs (0-1) when the two teams also meet in an Eastern Missouri Conference matchup tonight in Mokane. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
"It's like the Army-Navy game, a kind of season within the season," Boulware said. " To witness it and be part of it, the way the students rush the field, they don't do that at other games.
"The way both teams line up and the student body president from one school gives the trophy to the other, it's kind of like an Army-Navy game there at the end."
North Callaway owns a 14-8 series lead after holding on for a 26-23 victory in last year's matchup in Kingdom City. The win gave the Thunderbirds a share of the EMO title.
While the Callaway Cup has closed out the regular season the past two years, this season's contest was moved up to September.
No matter where the rivalry contest is slotted into the schedule, intrigue is never lacking, even if the consequences might be somewhat lessened.
"I think naturally, if we had similar records toward the end of the year, that might add a little bit, or if there was a conference championship on the line, so just playing them earlier in the season may take away from that standpoint," Hess said.
With the coronavirus pandemic a constant threat to sideline the season, Boulware was happy the matchup ended up being shifted to September.
"The first game was Senior Night because we wanted to make sure we got it in," Boulware said. "South Callaway for the Callaway Cup was one game we want to make sure we get in.
"So for that reason alone, I think for it to be in the front end of the schedule is a good thing."
What should be a prominent story line tonight will be the dynamic duel between a pair of sensational running backs - North Callaway senior Cody Cash and South Callaway senior Hayden Vaught.
Cash produced a game-high 196 yards rushing and two touchdowns last week as the Thunderbirds punished Louisiana in a 74-22 EMO rampage in the season opener in Kingdom City.
"I saw explosiveness, in particular No. 24 (Cash)," Hess said. "He has a burst, he's fast - it's going to be hard to catch him if he gets out in the open."
Meanwhile, Vaught accounted for South Callaway's five touchdowns while piling up a game-high 171 yards rushing as the Bulldogs lost to Monroe City 34-32 in double-overtime in their opener last week in Mokane.
"First of all, he's a long strider," Boulware said of Vaught. "He's just fast - it doesn't look like his legs are moving that fast and he's pulling away from people.
"It's his speed and he's got good size, and he's athletic. He's a good receiver, he's a good runner."
To limit Cash and the rest of the Thunderbirds' run game tonight, Hess emphasized South Callaway's defensive unit will need to lock down the perimeter. The Bulldogs gave up 163 yards on the ground to Monroe City.
Junior running back Trevor Ray also gained 84 yards and scored three times for North Callaway last week.
"We've got to limit those explosive plays, for sure, and be stout on the edges," Hess said. "I think that's going to be important. We can't let them get down the sideline, for sure.
"Winning first down, setting up (long) down and distances, that's going to help our defense."
The Thunderbirds' defense will also be busy in attempting to restrain Vaught and South Callaway's diverse running attack. North Callaway surrendered a meager 16 yards rushing against Louisiana.
Junior running back Trace Helsel also picked up 68 yards on 14 carries last week for the Bulldogs, while senior running back Hunter Martin-Hay finished with 63 yards in eight attempts.
"They do a lot of formations, and I think we do that too," Boulware said. "You really have to be mentally into the game - you can't miss a line, you can't get outnumbered at the point of attack."
Ultimately, Boulware understands both North Callaway and South Callaway will devote a lot of defensive resources tonight in attempting to bottle up Vaught and Cash, respectively.
"We're going to know where No. 16 (Vaught) is, they're going to know where No. 24 is," Boulware said. "Those are two great players that both teams have, with speed that can go the distance anytime you give them a crease.
"Both teams have other guys besides (those two), but there's a key guy on each side that the other team will have their eyes on all night long."
If the last three years are any indication, where the outcomes have been decided by a total of eight points, the possible scenarios for tonight's Callaway Cup showdown are wide open.
"I think both teams will be excited to play each other, excited to play football in general," Hess said. "When you have this type of game, I think it will be a fun atmosphere."