ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – It’s Friday, and that means it’s time for our Varsity 4 Game of the Week.
This week, it’s all about the newest rivalry in St. Johns County: the Tocoi Creek Toros versus The Beachside Barracudas.
It’s a matchup these two schools have been waiting for. They are two newest football programs in St. Johns County, and a rivalry they call “Surf and Turf.”
Friday night, the Toros have the home-field advantage.
“Obviously we want to win at the end of the day. It’s the new rivalry around here. We’re both 4 and 1 and we just want to keep that going,” Blake Warner, Tocoi Creek player, said.
It’s also a homecoming for the Toros, and the entire school came out to the football field Friday morning, taking part in a pep rally ahead of the matchup.
From the cheerleaders to the dance team, students said this game is the perfect way to end the week.
“I love this game so much. It’s always the thing we look forward to and we do dinner with the Beachside girls and it’s a game that we love doing,” one of the cheerleaders said.
In honor of homecoming, the band will hold a special performance after the game that they hope families stick around to enjoy.
“We practiced so much. Three-hour rehearsals, two days a week, after school but eight hours on Saturday, it’s so much work and we put together so much for you guys and we really hope you come and see it,” a member of the band said.
Toros Coach Zach Harbison said the team is working hard to take home a W against the Barracudas for the 4th year in a row.
“It’s one of 10 for us. We’re excited. All of our games our important. Obviously we haven’t lost to Beachside yet so we want to keep that thing rolling,” he said. “Last year it came down to the last play and our kids are gonna have to play really, really good football tonight. There’s no hate between the two schools. Duffy does a great job with his kids and I think we do a great job here. Our kids compete their butts off but they complete in a clean and competitive way.”
The Toros take on the Barracudas Friday at 7 p.m.