The football matchup between Adams County Christian School and Trinity Episcopal Day School these past two seasons was not defined by negativity.

No fights broke out between players from the opposing teams. Everything was kept clean for the most part. After the games, players from both teams huddled together for prayer, shook hands and socialized with one another.

It was a far cry from the two schools’ 2008 matchup, which included a fight and several ejections. Trinity and ACCS didn’t face off the next two seasons, as the Saints moved down to MAIS Single-A in the 2009 and 2010 seasons.

Following Trinity’s ascension to Double-A the past two years, the two schools renewed their rivalry, as they were placed in the same district. But with the most recent realignment, Trinity once again finds itself in Single-A, while ACCS remains in Double-A.

Being in different classifications hasn’t stopped schools from playing each other in the past. A good example of this is Trinity’s annual game with Centreville Academy. The Tigers have been in Double-A for many years, and Trinity has played them annually, even when the Saints were Single-A. ACCS’ matchup with Single-A Wilkinson County Christian Academy this fall is another example.

There’s nothing preventing Single-A and Double-A teams from scheduling each other, so there was nothing preventing ACCS and Trinity from continuing to play even after realignment.

ACCS requested that Trinity remain on its schedule, but the Trinity coaching staff declined, saying that they wanted to schedule more Single-A teams. Head coach Josh Loy said he felt that, with lower numbers this coming season, it would be better to play more teams inside its classification.

From a community standpoint, it would have been better if Trinity and ACCS kept the rivalry going instead of suspending it for at least two years. There are multiple reasons for that: the players know each other from youth ball, there would be virtually no travel costs and the money made from admission would be substantial.

Sure, there are some parents on both sides that have an irrational dislike for the other school, but that speaks more to the adults’ immaturity than anything. The players themselves have shown the last few seasons that the rivalry is all in good fun. Choosing not to play the game because a few “adults” — and I use that term loosely — can’t get over their differences is not good reasoning.

All that being said, Loy’s job is not to do what’s best for the community. His job is to do what’s best for his team, and if he feels it’s better to schedule a Single-A opponent, then he’s right to go with his convictions.

With the ACCS and Cathedral matchup from the past two seasons also falling by the wayside, it doesn’t appear any of Natchez’s three smaller schools will face one another. Even if the coaches feel that’s for the best, it’s definitely a little disappointing if you’re a fan of local prep sports.