File photoIt likely will be another packed house when the Thomas County Central Yellow Jackets and Thomasville Bulldogs meet at the Jackets' Nest.

THOMASVILLE — Not long after Thomasville High hired Zach Grage as head football coach in 2016, he spoke at a community event with Bulldogs’ fans in attendance. He reminisced on the event just days before his team’s game with Thomas County Central Friday night.

“They asked the question, ‘Is one game more important than the other?’ I think they were baiting me for the ol’ coach speech. (I said), ‘No, it’s all 1-0. Each game counts the same for us,’” Grage said. “The folks that asked me that question stayed afterward and came up to me and made sure that I knew Central was by far the most important game on the schedule.”

The teams will collide Friday night at the Jackets Nest at 8 p.m.

The series has become extra special for the Thomasville faithful since the Bulldogs have won the last two games in the series and now hold a 26-25 edge in the series history. Grage is 2-1 against Central.

“I’ve been part of Colquitt-Lowndes, Colquitt-Valdosta … I don’t think you can find (a rivalry) as big,” Grage said. “I think this one with all the parents and folks who are just straight Bulldogs and straight Yellow Jackets, the proximity of the schools, I don’t think you’re ever going to find something like this.”

Thomas County Central coach Ashley Henderson echoes Grage’s sentiments that the Rose City Rivalry is unique in its importance to the community and South Georgia.

“You want to remind your kids how fortunate they are that they are in a place where football is important,” Henderson said. “I’ve said it since the day I’ve been here, there’s something about Highway 84 football. There’s something in the water around here in Thomas County about just talented teams, talented players and championship teams that make for a great brand of football that’s second to none. It is a very special rivalry.”

The series dates back to 1962. It’s featured a future Heisman Trophy winner in former Central quarterback Charlie Ward Jr. and future college football national champions, such as former Thomasville quarterback Shawn Jones and defensive lineman Eric Curry, and former Central quarterback/running back Adam Choice and defensive end Austin Bryant.

The teams have also played twice in five different seasons, once during the regular season and the other during the playoffs, including 1993 when they battled for the state championship.

“It is a true rivalry game, it’s 26-25, we’re up one. A lot of people talk about it’s not a rivalry if one person or team always wins. This is as close as you can get,” Grage said. “I think that makes it very special.”

It’s the home opener for the Yellow Jackets and the first road trip for the Bulldogs, who hosted Pelham in their scrimmage and Cairo last week in their season opener. Though Thomasville was dealt a 45-21 defeat to the Syrupmakers, it was quickly reminded that another rival was on the schedule this week.

“We come off the field Friday and just got thumped by Cairo, licking our wounds and you have the folks there greeting the team, ‘Hey coach, as long as we win next week, it’s OK,’” Grage said.