By Conrad Easterday, CTCN Editor

Chickasha’s Fightin’ Chicks have developed fierce rivalries with longstanding foes Anadarko and El Reno, but the rival they’ll be facing this Friday has a tradition of winning and a spread attack that will challenge the Chicks’ defense.
Chickasha High’s home opener should be an exciting contest, Coach Joe Molder said.
“We’ve played Marlow for a long time now. They just really buy into that team camaraderie and that’s what it takes to be a successful program.”
CHS wants to build on last year’s 4-6 record and establish the first year of winning tradition themselves, Molder said.
The rivalry between the two nearby schools makes Friday’s contest important — and having the home field advantage helps — but Chickasha’s second game of the new season won’t be as important as others down the road because non-district games aren’t included in the formula for postseason.
Only pride is on the line.
“I feel good about controlling the line of scrimmage,” Molder said. “We feel like we’ve got some advantages in some spots. We’ve got a senior group of linebackers.”
Marlow on the other hand has graduated some of its better players.
The Fightin’ Chicks will also be coming into the contest healthy. A physical game against El Reno in the first week of the season didn’t lead to any injuries.
El Reno had the home field edge last week, and it showed in the final tally with El Reno on top 30-12.
“It was a pretty good first half (for Chickasha),” Molder said. “We got some turnovers and we were up 13-12 at one point, but the momentum shifted in the second half.”
Molder is in his second year as head coach and his 12th year in the school district. He recently became the district’s technology director.
“I just really want to commend our staff and our kids,” Molder added. “We have the potential to grow, and we have a team that trending in the right direction. I can’t say enough about our kids and their attitudes and their work ethic.”