The rivalry between Cashion and Crescent has been dubbed the “War on 74” and some of the battles between the two schools have lived up to the nickname.

However, there are some instances that make the rivalry take a backseat, which is exactly what happened two weeks ago.

Cashion hosted Crescent in Week 10 football contest and a lot was on the line.

The Wildcats were trying to improve their District A-3 position with a win.

Crescent’s stakes were even bigger. The Tigers needed a win to claim the district title, but a loss meant they would drop all the way to fourth.

Adding to the night was Cashion’s plans to retire the jersey of Brexten Green at halftime.

Green was an All-State standout for the Wildcats who helped lead them to their first of two consecutive Class A state titles in 2020.

He was set to begin his sophomore year at Emporia State University, but was tragically killed in a cliff diving accident in July.

His death was mourned throughout the community and beyond, but the Cashion football program also wanted to have a ceremony to honor Green during the season.

That took place the final week of the regular season.

Cashion led Crescent by a touchdown at halftime and the Tigers no doubt had some adjustments to make during the break.

Yet, instead of making the traditional trip to the locker room, they stayed on the field and stood alongside the Cashion football team and paid tribute to a fallen rival.

“I talked to (Crescent coach) J.L. (Fisher) about it beforehand. I asked him if he’d be willing to do that and he said they would be glad to,” said Cashion coach Lynn Shackelford.

Fisher said he and the rest of the Tigers didn’t think twice.

“Even though Crescent and Cashion is a big rivalry, there are some things that are bigger than football,” Fisher said.

“When the thought of joining them on the field for the retiring of Brexten’s jersey came up, our team and coaches did not hesitate.

“Many of our kids – past and present – knew Brexten well. They were competitors on the field, but friends off of it. Brexten was a respected competitor and a great kid. Crescent Tiger football continues to send prayers to the Cashion community, the Wildcat football program and the Brexten Green family.”

So the teams put the game aside for 20 minutes and stood side-by-side on the west end while Shackelford was joined at midfield by members of Green’s family.

“I thought it was fitting,” Shackelford said, before echoing Fisher’s sentiment.

“And it showed that some things are bigger than football.”