All football rivalries are not created equally. There are levels to this, a certain hierarchy of sorts. Close proximity, longevity, competitiveness, and/or sheer hatred define a top notch rivalry. The Battle on the Miami, featuring Piqua and Troy, has an abundance of all of that. It is included as one of the showdowns in the prestigious Great American Rivalry Series for good reason.

First and foremost, the gridiron rivalry that plays its 140th contest this evening was forged in the days of 25th President and Ohio native William McKinley in 1899. For context, Congress had just approved the use of voting machines for elections, and the United States had just begun a three-year Philippine-American War; it was well over a century ago. All told, Piqua and Troy have battled more than any other Ohio rivalry. These days, each year’s winner earns more than just bragging rights and pride; the victors take home two trophies for the Battle on the Miami and the Great American Rivalry Series.

This rivalry has it all, as the Miami County schools are just 10 miles apart, have been playing for 125 years, and are separated by razor thin margins in the overall tally. Troy regained the edge, 67-66-6, with a 14-0 home victory in 2023. This series has been very streaky over the years, as Piqua has won 5 straight three different times and Troy owns a series best 6-game run in the late 1970’s. The Indians will look to halt Troy’s momentum before another streak ensues.

The weight and the excitement of the rivalry can be felt throughout both towns on game week. There are many generations of families in Piqua and Troy that have experienced the highs and lows in this rollercoaster journey of a rivalry. One particular person who has been both a player and coach in the showdown is Piqua offensive coordinator Travis Nees, who competed in three contests versus Troy, 2009-11 and has been on the coaching staff since 2018.

“Coaching in this storied rivalry is like stepping into a time-honored tradition. It’s more than just a game; it’s a community event,”

explained Nees.

“Having played in it, I understand the passion, the intensity, and the lifelong bonds it creates. As a coach, I’m privileged to share the experience with a new generation of players and continue this incredible legacy.”

The 2024 edition of the Battle on the Miami features a rarity, as both teams enter the game with sub-.500 records (2-3) for the first time since 2013. But don’t let the records fool you; they both have played good football against some of the best teams in the area so far this season. Piqua’s three losses have come against three teams with a combined record of 14-1, while Troy’s three defeats were to squads with an overall mark of 13-2. Piqua comes into this huge tilt ranked 15th in Region 8, and Troy is ranked 18th.

The Indians are fresh off a 49-0 shellacking of the struggling Green Wave of Greenville. PIqua featured a balanced offensive attack in the drubbing, posting a season-best 436 yards, including 230 through the air and 206 on the ground . Senior quarterback Caiden Thomas registered three touchdown passes, while fellow senior Jericho Burns posted nearly 10 yards per carry en route to 169 yards and three scores of his own. Burns resides 2nd in the Miami Valley in rushing with 619 yards and eight touchdowns on the season.

Senior linebacker Owen Shawler paced the Piqua defense against Greenville with eight stops, including two tackles for a loss. Shawler is 3rd on the team in tackles, trailing only junior linebacker John Hess, who has recorded 30, and senior linebacker Izzy Coleman, who has notched 28. The linebacking corps will be huge for the Indians if they want to stymie the Trojans.

Troy enters off a devastating 25-22 loss to undefeated Tippecanoe at home. The Trojans made a big comeback to grab the lead only for Tipp to reach paydirt with 2:54 to go in the game to seal the victory. On the decisive drive, the Trojans surrendered a 26-yard touchdown on 3rd-and-24. The Trojans’ three losses are by a total of 20 points.

As if the rivalry itself isn’t enough to get these teams’ lather up, they are both hungry to prove they’re worthy for a playoff spot down the stretch. This pivotal game will no doubt provide plenty of fireworks as these teams compete with pride, bragging rights, and postseason implications on the line.