No one knows exactly why and how the Polk County rivalry started, or maybe some do. However, since it emerged it’s showing no signs of ever dying down or out.

The first football game between the Polk County foes go back as far to Nov. 25, 1948, with the game ending in a 32-32 tie.

Over the next 10 years Rockmart took four wins while dropping six and from 1959 to 1965 the Bulldogs defeated them.

It wasn’t until Sept. 5, 1969 that the Yellow Jackets would win consecutive games, winning seven.



Out of those seven, Rockmart held Cedartown scoreless and allowed them only seven points in the one match up in which the Bulldogs scored.

Between 1976 and 1999, Rockmart took a 7-19 record against Cedartown and there would be a seven-year gap between that period and the next time the two would meet.

But when they did finally face off again, on Sept. 15, 2006, it would be the Yellow Jackets taking the 20-14 overtime win, which was the second overtime game in history for the two squads.

After dropping the first two regular season games in 2007, Rockmart bounced back by taking the county championship title, on Sept. 14 at the Doc Ayers field, winning 14-7.

Coach Dan Duff compares the atmosphere to Georgia and Georgia Tech, saying, “It’s a fun game to play.

“It’s what high school rivalry is all about,” Duff added. “That rivalry.”

Courtney Hammock, a former player and former coach for the Bulldogs — but now a part of the Yellow Jackets' coaching staff — said it doesn’t bother him too much that he’s on the opposite side of the field, because the game is being played in Rockmart.

“If it was in Cedartown, it might have a different feel,” he said.

Hammock also mentioned he’s excited more about the game this season because its always been a given that the Bulldogs would win. And now being a part of the staff and hearing that they will lose makes him coach harder.

When it came to being a player and a part of deciding who won the title, he said he and his teammates hated losing to them (Rockmart) or anybody, adding, “I like to win.”

2008 RHS graduate and former wide receiver and cornerback for the Yellow Jackets, Jarrett Thompson, said playing in the rivalry game feels better than a championship game because it brings out the best in both teams.

“Even though we’re not playing for a ring,” Thompson added, “we’re playing for bragging rights.”

He went on to say, the team could’ve went 1-and-9 last season, just as long as they beat Cedartown.

His best memory from playing in the game was in 2006 when they came out for pregame stretches and the stands were already packed.

Along with building up the hype for the game, RHS continues their “Operation Blackout,” week.

Thursday is “capture the bulldog.” Students are able to wear their caps. Also they will have the “burning of the bulldog,” which will be held after the softball game near RHS baseball/softball field.

Friday is “make the bulldogs see colors.” RHS students are asked to wear their class colors and there will also be a pep rally at the high school in the gymnasium, which will start at 2:55 p.m.

Kick off for game night is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Students are asked to wear black to the game, to enable a "blackout."