Despite no longer being in the same TSSAA classification, Bearden and Farragut’s football programs will continue their rivalry in 2015.

Starting next school year, Farragut will drop down to 5-A, while Bearden will compete in 6-A.

The 6-A classification will be composed of the 32 largest high schools in the state of Tennessee, which does not include Farragut. However, both Bearden Coach Morgan Shinlever and Farragut Coach Eddie Courtney wanted the rivalry to continue.

“As soon as we found out that they were not going to be in our district, we contacted each other and discussed what we were thinking as far as trying to work that game out,” Shinlever said. “As far as the rivalry and what’s good for our schools, it’s something we had to continue.”

Bearden will play Farragut during week four of the season (Sept. 11), different from the usual date near the end of the season.

Coach Shinlever said he and Coach Courtney had originally discussed having the game in the latter half of the season, but the way that the dates for district games fell, the rivalry game was set for week four.

“We’ll play Farragut as long as we can get them on the schedule,” Shinlever said. “In my mind, that’s the number one non-district school that we need to schedule, just for the simple fact that you don’t get rid of rivalries.”

Bearden’s 2015 Football Schedule:

Aug. 21      at Karns

Aug. 28     vs. Powell

Sept. 4       at Hardin Valley

Sept. 11      vs. Farragut

Sept. 18      vs. William Blount

Sept. 25      vs. Maryville

Oct. 2         at Bradley Central

Oct. 9         Bye

Oct. 16        at Dobyns-Bennett

Oct. 23        vs. Science Hill

Oct. 30        at Jefferson County