When I entered Sterling High School as a freshman in 1996, the twin cities were coping with a change that many did not like.

The Golden Warriors and the Rock Falls Rockets would no longer play a football game against each other. The Rockets, as I recall, decided it was in their best interest to end the tradition that had turned lopsided in Sterling’s favor in recent years.

Filling the gap in Sterling’s schedule was Chicago Steinmetz, a program in its infancy. I recall coming to the line of scrimmage during one game on offense and having to point out to the Steinmetz player across from me where he was supposed to line up.