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It's been 46 years since Royse City and Rockwall have played each other – at least as far as anyone can remember. But the rivalry still runs deep for some.

"We've got several townspeople here that to this day, that's their rival, and they can't wait for this game," Royse City coach Greg Strahm said. "We've had several phone calls talking about, 'Go get'em!' "

Strahm has been getting an education about the rivalry since the UIL aligned Royse City and Rockwall, separated by only a few miles of I-30, into District 10-4A together last spring. He's been told the teams would always meet on Nov. 11 – the 11th day of the 11th month – regardless of what day it fell on.

And the series record, according to townsfolk, is tied at 11-11-3.

So Friday's game in Rockwall is not just the rekindling of an old Rockwall County rivalry. It's a battle for the upper hand in the series.

"It's been kind of fun," Strahm said of the buzz. "Maybe we can start up something again to have a nice, friendly rivalry between the two county schools."

Though the town separating Rockwall and Royse City is called Fate, it took more than that to bring the rivals back together.

Rockwall, thanks to the opening of sister school Rockwall-Heath, dropped from Class 5A to 4A this year. Royse City is making the jump from 3A to 4A.

The schools are at opposite ends of the 4A enrollment spectrum. Rockwall has almost 900 more students than Royse City, but Rockwall coach Scott Smith doesn't see Royse City's recent 3A status as a disadvantage.

"The A's don't mean anything," Smith said. "When you get between those lines, anything can happen."

Royse City is 1-1 against 4A schools this season, having beaten Mount Pleasant and lost a close one to Frisco Wakeland, which is also making the jump from 3A this year. Royse City opened with a win over 3A Atlanta.

Rockwall, with Adam Dingwell taking former standout Braden Smith's spot at quarterback, has faced nothing but 5A teams in nondistrict play. It beat Midland Lee in its opener, but lost to Rowlett and Allen.

"I really didn't see it [playing in 4A] as a demotion or anything," said Rockwall linebacker Matt Claggett, who has relatives in Royse City. "It's new opponents, but the game stays the same."

Being a 4A team carries more meaning for Royse City after fielding winning teams at the 3A level. Getting to play Rockwall again is a bonus.

"It's a big challenge, but we can prove we're ready to play 4A football," Royse City linebacker Kollin Padon said. "The whole town is really into this game because it's been so long since Royse City and Rockwall have competed against each other."

Longtime observers say Rockwall and Royse City have not played in 46 years, despite being so close to each other. Here are some pertinent numbers:

Distance between schools: 11.2 miles

Enrollment: Rockwall 1,917; Royse City 1,079

2007 finish: Rockwall 6-5, Class 5A Division I bi-district; Royse City 11-1, Class 3A Division I regional

Royse City (2-1, 0-0 in 10-4A) vs. Rockwall (1-2, 0-0), 7:30 p.m., Wilkerson-Sanders Stadium, Rockwall. (KXEZ- FM 92.1)