To hear it told now, the beginning of a heated border battle between Warren County and DeKalb County boiled down to two issues: money and losing streaks. Promises of standing-room only crowds and sold-out concession stands intrigued both schools. One team grabbing a victory - the programs combined for nine wins from 2001-2004 - was a great motivator as well.
"When we looked at adding DeKalb County, we were on the longest losing streak in school history," recalls former Warren County coach Chris Madewell, who led the Pioneers from 2004-09. "There were two reasons to schedule them: to give us a chance to win and we knew it would be a big gate."
In 2005, the two schools agreed to a two-game series with the first game to be played at Nunley Stadium. Warren County won in a romp, 50-6, and proceeded to shut out the Tigers in next two years, 21-0 and 24-0.
DeKalb County coach Steve Trapp, who took over just two weeks before the 2005 opener, had little time to get a scope on the blooming series.
"I wasn't aware of the history. I had been a junior pro coach for six years and didn't even know how to properly warm up a team yet," said Trapp. "It was all a whirlwind. They won big the game before us, tore down the goalposts and had a ton of momentum. It was loud. I'm just glad they didn't open with us because we would've been the team they snapped the streak against."
Despite picking up three early wins, coach Madewell could see the program located just 26 miles away improving at a rapid pace.
"After the first year, I could tell a big change in their program. Coach Trapp obviously had his boys in the weight room," said Madewell. "I knew if coach Trapp stayed with the program, it was only going to get tougher."
Enter Hunter Poteete.
The Tigers entered the 2008 season with an offense that was going to air it out and use the talents of its junior quarterback to the fullest. Poteete was equally effective through the air and on the ground, making him a nightmare for opponents.
Poteete, in coordination with his All-State receiver Abram Edwards, helped the Tigers get a program-changing victory in 2008, 42-25.
"Abram and I had a connection that's hard to find these days in high school," said Poteete. "It seemed like I always knew where he was going to be."
The next year took the series to a whole new level. Both teams were coming off playoff berths and boasted two of the better offenses in the state. The showdown was won by Warren County 49-42 and is wildly considered by most to be the best game of  the, now, 12-year series.
Poteete accounted for all 459 yards of offense for the Tigers, including finding Edwards 12 times for 209 yards. The Pioneers opted to stay on the ground, pounding out over 300 yards behind big games by QB Brandon Steg and RB Caleb Northcutt. The shootout - still the highest scoring regulation game in Warren County history - came down to a last-minute, 81-yard touchdown pass caught by Michael Thrower.
"That was a wild game," said Thrower. "Both teams were exhausted. We all gave everything we had."
Warren County would go on to win again in 2010, seizing early control of the series with five wins in the first six meetings. The Tigers have swung the tide in recent years, winning five of the last six meetings - highlighted by a 50-0 drubbing in 2012.
As the series as blossomed into a full-fledged rivalry, both sides have developed fond memories.
"Growing up living on the DeKalb County - Warren County line, I had a great perspective on what the rivalry was like," said former Pioneer QB Christian Wilkinson, the starter during the Pioneers last victory in 2014. "It's odd going to Dollar General with my Warren County gear and seeing Tiger fans everywhere. The game in Smithville my junior year (2014) will always be my favorite game I ever played. It was such a rowdy atmosphere."
Edwards had similar thoughts about entering Nunley Stadium.
"The first time I played at Nunley Stadium was in middle school and it was the biggest high school stadium I had ever played in. It just had  a 'Prime Time' feel," said Edwards.
Electric crowds, fanatic followers and great football also stood out to former Pioneer and Duke standout Cody Robinson.
"It reminds me of the Duke-UNC rivalry: close proximity, dislike from both sides, passionate fanbases and a year of bragging rights on the line," said Robinson. "I vividly remember playing in DeKalb County and it being standing room only. All Warren County players need to know the meaning of this game."
DeKalb County coach Steve Trapp, who has led the Tigers on the sidelines in all 12 meetings, has seen a lot of growth in the series and hopes it continues.
"We've grown so much over the last 13 years," said Trapp. "Coach Madewell was a great help. He gave me great advice, 'Stick with what you do and keep working.' We've tried to do that."
Friday's matchup at Nunley Stadium, scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., will help break a 6-6 tie in the series history.