Tradition Renewed: Montague & Whitehall kick off rivalry game with ceremonial coin toss

In Week 5 of the 2016 season, for the first time since 1981, Montague and Whitehall renewed a decades-old tradition and met at the middle of the bridge over White Lake which connects their two close-knit communities for a ceremonial coin-toss ahead of their yearly conference showdown. This unique Muskegon County football tradition will take place once again in 2017 ahead of a big Week 5 matchup, this Thursday night at 5:30pm.

This year's battle for the Red, White, and Blue Bell between Montague and Whitehall will be their 73rd meeting since 1950, a series which has seen the two teams play one another more than any other team in their long histories. Both teams have seen their share of success in this storied rivalry, but Montague has undoubtedly held the upper hand since the turn of the millennium. None of that will matter on Friday night when both teams enter this year's match up undefeated in West Michigan Conference play, hungry for a victory that will put the winner firmly on the path to a conference title and perhaps a deep playoff run.

This Thursday night, just as in last year's renewed rendition of the coin-toss on the bridge, both teams will gather at their town's side of the bridge - with bands, cheerleaders, student bodies, and fans in tow - and march out to face down their long-time rival on a stage set perfectly to build the anticipation ahead of Friday night's game. While the pomp and circumstance make the festive occasion 'ceremonial', the winner of the coin-toss will in fact elect whether to kick or receive to begin Friday night's game - when the teams will set aside the tight bonds of community and fight for WMC supremacy.

So, if you love high school football and you're looking for an experience that is uniquely West Michigan and a hallmark of the rich history of Muskegon County HS football, look no further.