Not many high schools can say they have a rivalry as strong as Mead vs. Frederick, which will bring out emotions this Friday night on the Frederick field. For years, these two high school football teams have fought under Friday night lights, exchanging wins and losses, and creating many memorable moments for these student athletes. Now, the rivalry has been revived, as Mead and Frederick meet again. This matchup promises to be a close game with high intensity.
The Mead Mavericks were last season’s Colorado 3A state runner-ups. The Frederick Golden Eagles recently moved up to the Colorado 4A scene, and while the two schools may not always be in the same league, the rivalry will always run deep. Despite the difference in school sizes, the excitement around this matchup has not faded. This rivalry is so strong, primarily because Frederick and Mead are neighboring towns.
Jason Klatt, head coach of the Mead High School Football team, states: “You know who you are playing, and the fun part is that most of these kids went to either grade school together, or they know each other and have friends of friends.” This goes to show that this rivalry brings out a lot of excitement for many of the players.
The Mavericks are currently leading the rivalry with a record of eight total wins to Frederick’s three. The most recent football game took place on September 6th, 2024; and was a very close game, but Mead ended up taking home the win: 16-14. The Mavericks got the ball with 3 ½ minutes left, and faced a 4th-and-1 with just one minute remaining. Carter Woods rushed for a 4-yard gain that sealed the rivalry win for the Mead Mavericks.
Head Coach Jason Klatt emphasizes the energy around this particular game and how his players are feeling, “I don’t want there to be any more energy around this week than there is next week,” Klatt said. “Do the kids know what’s about to happen? Yes.” He explains that cooling down the energy around this game helps the team to focus on the sport and not everything surrounding it. “So I kind of downplay it a little bit because I don’t want our guys to be too hype,” said Klatt. In short, Klatt believes that focus and control, not dramatic buildup, gives his team the best outcome on the field.
As the next game approaches, the field is set for another chapter in this long lived rivalry. With Mead holding the title of the all-time wins, and Frederick hungry to close that gap, Friday night will deliver the same excitement, intensity, and school spirit that this matchup has always provided. No matter the outcome of the game on Friday, one thing is for certain—when these two teams meet under the lights it’s not just a game, it’s tradition.
