St. Joseph v Lakeshore
Since their first meeting on the football field in 1961, both Saint Joseph High School and Lakeshore High School have shared a competitive spirit that drives both sides to give their best—though at times, it can also bring out the worst. A spectacle has been made out of the rivalry, whether it's games like War by the Shore or Dig Pink, an amazing atmosphere is created for the great matchups, but only one team comes out on top. Over time there has been a significant effort to treat the SJHS vs. Lakeshore game like any other, despite the excitement and buzz surrounding it within the school.
When asked how the rivalry has changed, Coach Ben Jager said, “I think the approach to the game has changed: having the mindset that every game is so important, no matter who the opponent is. We play in a challenging conference with a lot of solid teams, where every week we have to prepare in the same fashion. Just make sure you do 'your job,' no matter if it's Lakeshore or another conference team.”
When asked about its intensity he added, “I've had the opportunity to coach in a lot of exciting games in the rivalry, which a lot of times maybe didn't reflect the records on either team. I still think it comes down to the preparation. It shouldn't matter if you're playing an 8 and 0 team, compared to an 0 and 8 team, [if] it's any given Friday, you have to be ready mentally and physically.”
The community is a major part of this rivalry as well: it’s not only about the teams, but also about the people in our community who come together for these major events. War by the Shore and Beat Lakeshore shirts are found all over SJHS when Lakeshore Week comes around. School spirit flows through the air when the student section gets decked out in white for the Friday night football game, helping the Bears to victory. The players compete for The Anchor, the trophy awarded each year to the winner of the Saint Joseph vs. Lakeshore football game—a tradition that started over a decade ago. Beyond the game itself, charity events are a major part of the rivalry, including Dig Pink and Hoops for Hope bringing the community together to raise money for causes far more significant than a game or match. These events remind everyone that the rivalry is about so much more than just the players on the field; it's about supporting those in our community who are facing challenges far greater than a sporting competition.
Our rivalry is also very important in the lower levels. Coach Gary Etter, who coaches JV basketball and baseball, said this about the rivalry, “I think they get excited about the rivalry. It definitely means a lot to them. As a coach, you need to make sure they don’t get too nervous and treat it like another game, but it's hard because they really do care.”
Overall this rivalry is very important to both SJHS and Lakeshore. And at times it can make or break a season. Teams get fired up, the community rallies around high schoolers they may not even know, and for Saint Joseph, from ultimate frisbee to football, the goal is universal, beat the red and black.