@khsladychiefssoccer
Our golden Lady Chiefs train hard every season to defeat the Nixa Eagles.
Everyone knows Glendale and Kickapoo have been at each other’s throats since our school was first built, specifically in football, but what many are not as aware of is the strong rivalry against Nixa during the annual soccer season.
“I do wholeheartedly believe there is a strong rivalry between Kickapoo and Nixa. It is known throughout all the players the different feelings when we play against them,” senior girls soccer player Ray Hall said.
The Chiefs and Eagles have battled it out on the soccer field for years. The exact date is not known, but the conflict started way earlier than any of our current players are able to remember.
“The rivalry has been going on long before I’ve been here. It’s a common thing for all schools in our district to beat Nixa, no one likes Nixa. They’re a tough team to beat and their players are cocky,” Hall said.
The rivalry makes the game that much more competitive and hyped up for players and spectators alike. The pressure and hostility affect the driven athletes on both sides.
“Nixa is such a great team to play against and the rivalry makes it even more competitive. It just fuels you to play as fast and as tough as possible,” sophomore girls soccer player Chloe Coughenour said.
Even without the positive feelings for the other side, the players still have an extreme respect for the game. The rivalry makes them both stronger as players and as a team. They become even more united when faced up against such a common and blood-boiling enemy.
“I think there’s such a strong rivalry because of how equally matched we are. Not to mention lots of us have grown up playing with/against them, so we’re all very familiar with each other,” Coughenour said.
Feuds between high schools can bring loads of school spirit into the stands and on the sidelines, but it is still always good to remember to keep cheers and interactions friendly. Even when games happen to be against Nixa. The rivalry doesn’t outweigh the respect, and keeping competition good-natured is most important.