COLUMBUS, Ga. (WTVM) - The Friday night lights party started early with some tailgating by fans and alumni. The 62nd annual meeting between the Spencer Greenwave and the Carver Tigers is expected to be one of the biggest high school football games in Columbus this season.
Tailgating sets the tone and brings the energy for the game day atmosphere. The Heritage Bowl has a very long history and with this game being as popular as it is, both teams plan to feed off of the energy of their fans.
"These two schools were two schools created in Muscogee County just for African American students, male and female," said Carver High School principal Christopher Lindsey.
"This is our 62nd annual Heritage Bowl just to celebrate family. A lot of alumni come out to support each other, to have conversations, to just see each other, to greet each other and to remember the old times," said Spencer High School principal Rosa Patterson.
The Heritage Bowl between Spencer and Carver is one of the biggest games in the city of Columbus, drawing comparisons to an HBCU-like atmosphere.
A band member from Spencer and majorette from Carver say the tradition of tailgating the energy has them ready to perform.
"From kick off, from the bands marching in, the crowd is going crazy. It's like you feel that and it builds energy in you to be like now it's serious. Now I got to perform," said Spencer High school senior Emmanuel Thornton.
"It's a lot of people...you have people screaming from ear to ear. It's everywhere, it's really packed out. I be ready like today, I'm really ready for the game, ready to march in, ready to see all the people I haven't seen, I'm ready to enjoy," said Carver senior Kamari Nadian.
Head coaches from both schools say it's an honor to play in this game.
"It's always a blessing to keep going every year," said Spencer head coach Joe Kegler. "I'm excited to get back to it. It's one of the first games of the season, so we're always excited because it defines football season is here," said head coach Spencer high school Joe Kegler.
"Several years ago, it was rated one of the top rivalry's in the country. And so, for both schools, it's like a family reunion, it's huge for our community," said Carver head coach Pierre Coffey.