Nearly 3,000 people bought tickets in advance of the state quarterfinal game between Bettendorf and Pleasant Valley High Schools. Several thousand more purchased tickets at the gate, making Friday night's crowd one of the largest of the high school football season.
Before the sun even set Friday night, a line had formed outside Spartan Stadium. Many arrived several hours ahead of the 7 p.m. kickoff.
"Oh yeah, 4:30 I showed up. 4:30," said Bettendorf student Lexy Jurevitz.
Lines eventually wove through the Pleasant Valley parking lot, as thousands waited to watch one of the MAC powerhouses win a trip to the state semifinals and the UNI Dome.
"Tonight's going to be a huge game for Bettendorf and PV. We're on the road to the Dome!" said Pleasant Valley student Monica West.
Just two miles separate the high schools, but fans of each say it's a rivalry that extends far beyond the playing field.
"Oh yeah, it's about the rivalry. We've been going back and forth for a long time," said West.
"It's really big because the first game that we had, we didn't do too well, but we're coming back for a really good one. It's about revenge," said Jurevitz.
And despite a Bettendorf victory this time around, fans agree that the Bettendorf - Pleasant Valley rivalry will live on long after this season is over.