HUNTLAND — It’s a game that both teams circle on their schedule each year. On Friday, the Raiders will take the short drive to Franklin County to take on the Huntland Hornets. It’s a rivalry game that dates back to the 1940s.
Moore County will likely be looking for a little revenge. The Raiders hosted the Hornet last year and suffered a 35-19 loss.
On Friday, Moore County will enter enemy territory with a 1-3 overall record. The rematch will mark their first Region 5 contest of the season. The Hornet sit at 3-1 so far this year with a 17-15 district win at Richland under their belt.
This year there’s a little extra motivation. Thanks to the folks over at the Hangin’ Out in the Holler podcast, the new Major’s Cup is on the line.
History of the Moore County Huntland rivalry
Make the mistake of saying native son Johnny Majors is from Huntland and any local will be quick to correct you. It’s a fact that the former UT football coach lived most of his early life in and is “from” Lynchburg … we don’t care what the UT media guides used to say. In fact, Majors Boulevard in Lynchburg pays tribute to the Majors family and their contributions to Moore County.
John Majors or Johnny as he became known as in the sports world was born in 1935 to Shirley Inman and John Elizabeth Bobo Majors in Lynchburg. Shirley Majors played football at Moore County High School before coaching there from 1944-47. He left to restart the football program at Huntland High School. At the time, they hadn’t fielded a team in 20 years. He commuted each day from Moore County to Franklin County so that his children could continue to attend Moore County Schools. But that all came to an end one chilly fall night when Johnny and the MCHS Raiders beat his father’s Huntland Hornets 18-13 in the last regular season game.
“That’s the last dad-blamed time a son of mine plays against me,” he said, according to the State Archives.
After that, Shirley Majors packed up the family and moved to Huntland where Johnny finished his high school football career. It’s the genesis of an intense rivalry that remains today.
Over the years there have been lots of good-natured hi-jinx. Someone from the Huntland side once sent a black floral wreath to the Raiders prior to game day, according to former MCHS Cafeteria Manager Norma Stone.
Another local legend states the in 1993-94 a crew from Huntland supposedly snuck into Moore County and tagged local speed limit signs with a large “H” from MCHS to Huntland High School. “Occasionally, I will still see a sign with it still on there,” said native Christy Anderson.
The game kicks off at 7 p.m. You can watch the Moore County Sports Network’s broadcast on the NFHS website for a subscription fee or listen for free on Whiskey County 95.9 and 105.1 FM•
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