There’s no question about it: people love conflict. Our culture cheers on as we watch presidential candidates bash each other in debates, boxers battle it out in the ring, and even in cartoons when Wile E. Coyote goes after the roadrunner.

In the world of sports,  rivalry games are the biggest games on the schedule. Teams will mark that game down on their calendar months in advance and prepare for that game. That is the one game a year that at any cost, your team has to win.

There are many great rivalries when to comes to sports: Auburn vs Alabama, Michigan vs Ohio State, Yankees vs Red Sox, Real Madrid vs FC Barcelona, and so many more.

No matter what, these are the games everyone wants to watch.

Hammonton High School is no exception to this; ask anyone who attended the St. Joe/Hammonton football game last week.

While St. Joe may arguably be Hammonton’s biggest rival, the title of best rivalry is college and professional sports can be debated.

“I would probably have to say the Alabama vs Auburn rivalry in college football because it has been going on for so long, and they are always 2 of the top teams. This game usually has BCS national title implications,” said senior Matt Matro.

Senior Trey Hughey, on the other hand, favors Michigan vs. Ohio State.

“The players look forward to this game and the coaches mark it down on the schedule as a big game. Everyone plays well, and it is always a good game to watch,” he said.

So, are rivalries a “healthy thing” for athletes and fans?

“They bring a lot of publicity to the sport and intensity,” Hughey added.  They get attention of a big game and get the fans and players pumped up for the game.”

These games help teams recover from bad seasons because if they win one game it can make it all better.