Fans circled the date on their calendars, pep rallies were planned, and coaches reminded their athletes what this game meant. Oct. 3, 2025, was the date of the 19th rivalry game. The teams were Hagerty and Oviedo High School. The victor: Can you guess?
As years pass, this game, while still an important one for most Oviedo residents, has become less and less of a rivalry. In 19 years, Oviedo has won a total of 16 times, leaving Hagerty with three victories.
Because of this, the validity of this rivalry has been questioned.
“We beat them so many times it’s not even a rivalry anymore,” Samarai Chisolm, senior, said.
Chisolm has seen his team beat Hagerty all four years of his high school career. Along with Chisolm, Coach Greg Odierno has a 4-0 record against the Huskies, showing that the program under him will always take this rivalry seriously.
As a transfer student, Dashon Febres, a senior and one of the star players on Friday night and the player who put up the first momentum-building touchdown, recognized the strength in the spirit of Oviedo.
“It’s a whole different feeling, the rivalry feeling is way more intense. We didn’t have that at Lake Howell,” Febres said.
Febres also reflected on his gameplay, “They gave me the ball, it was the right play, right time. My teammates helped me and blocked for me, we all played our part,” Febres said. Whether it was merely the thought of facing the rivals, or the immense support and fully packed stands, the Lions played differently this game. Their game play was boldly aggressive, and the whole team, including those on the sidelines, seemed to be fired up.
One example of this boldness came with the game’s first touchdown. This game was characterized by many ups and downs.
The Lions came out strong to begin with, as they put up points early on in the game, and went for two points instead of one on the extra point, showing Hagerty they intended to win loudly.
From then on it seemed to be a volley back and forth as Hagerty and Oviedo traded touchdowns up until the third quarter when Oviedo decisively pulled away.
At the heart of all the noise, the rivalry is a way to bring a community together.
“Getting to score on Hagerty was a big opportunity. It’s an important tradition that brings people together. I’ve played them every year and I’m glad the tradition has been carried on to me and my class.” Carmari Soloman, junior, said.
This support, if not evident by the packed stands at Friday night’s game, was incredibly evident at the pep rally that same day.
“It’s important for us, and Oviedo, to know who runs our city. It’s just fun to have a cross-town rivalry. The pep rally shows how much we hate Hagerty and how much our school wants Oviedo to beat them,” Chisholm said.
At this pep rally, fans cheered as a blow-up lion was seen tackling a blow-up husky to the ground. The husky then earned a good old-fashioned dog pile from the Lions’ football team as principal and big rivalry supporter Dr. Daniel said influential words, “This isn’t an athlete, it’s just a puppy.”
Those words proved true as the Lions showed themselves to be the king of the jungle, and rulers of ‘The O,’ winning the game 41-26.
“I always appreciate the whole community being there and the council members, it really is important to Oviedo and I’m glad for everyone’s support,” Dr. Daniel said in response to Oviedo’s victory.
With the Mayor’s Cup back in what seems like its permanent residence, Oviedo settles back into their comfortable rhythm, football, school spirit, and a competitive spirit that rivals all.
