Pride. Competition. Tradition. Not many games have this much at stake. The varsity football team (3-0) is set to take on the Marcus Marauders (2-0) in the historic Battle of the Axe (BOTA), a bitter rivalry built on legacy. 

Dating back to 1986, since Marcus opened and split from Lewisville, the game has brought an intensity that transcends the action on the field, reverberating through both schools and communities.   

“The rivalry is a big deal, it always has been,” Lewisville head coach Michael Odle said. “I mean,  you’re playing for hardware, playing for an axe, you’re playing for pride. It’s communities that split.”

Last season’s Battle of the Axe ended in an overtime thriller orchestrated by a trio of sophomores, when quarterback Tre Williams and Derrick “DJ” Martin pulled off a trick play that set up tight end Landon Bogany’s game-winning touchdown. The 27-21 win secured Lewisville’s third straight axe victory. 

After two years at Marauder Stadium, the game kicks off back at Max Goldsmith Stadium Friday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. Lewisville, ranked 14th in 6A according to Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, has a chance to win its fourth straight Battle of the Axe, an achievement the team last accomplished during its five-year streak from 1998-2002. Williams, Martin and Bogany all return as juniors for this year’s edition along with senior captain and center Aidan Murphy.

“It feels great but honestly I’m looking forward to seeing this team come together as a group and as a brotherhood,” Murphy said. “But I want Marcus to never feel the weight of the axe in their hands as long as I am on the team.”

Both teams were idle last Friday as the entire district 5-6A was on a bye week. The Famers earned a road victory over Rockwall, 28-21, on Sept. 11. The Yellowjackets (2-2) went on to upset then third-ranked North Crowley on Sept. 18, 37-35. The Marauders defeated Pearce, 52-14, on Sept. 12 after the previous week’s game against Arlington was declared a no-contest due to bad weather.

Eager for redemption after last year’s loss, Marcus is expected to go all out in order to take back the axe. Odle praised Williams for strides he’s been able to make early in the season. Through three games, Williams has completed 70% of his passes for 718 yards and 11 touchdowns, averaging more than 239 yards per game with a quarterback rating of 117.2.  

“He knows the situation, knows where our guys are supposed to be, can control motions and shifts and snap counts and just overall command has been way, way better,” Odle said. “And as he’s playing really well, there’s still things that we’re leaving on the table that he’s seen in video and that he’s determined to get fixed and to really make this machine go.”

The Farmer offense has dominated in the air and has shown the ability to light up the scoreboard, scoring 100 points in the first three games.

“We, as an offense, want to score till the last whistle blows,” Murphy said. 

On the ground, Lewisville typically runs a two running back set, but with Martin battling injury, senior Tenel Hill has carried the load rushing for 184 yards on 46 total carries to start the season. 

Williams has been able to spread the ball effectively, finding six receivers consistently. Senior wideout Traejan Mueller leads the team in receiving yards with 192 on 16 receptions and a pair of touchdowns, while versatile sophomore Landon Brazzell is close behind him with 188 yards on 15 receptions and three touchdowns. Junior Jayden Thomas also has been a steady threat with 164 yards on 14 catches. 

Bogany has emerged as a go-to redzone threat, hauling in 11 catches for 81 yards and a team-leading four touchdowns. His big frame allows him to extend above both single and double coverage with ease. 

Despite consistent production from the offense, Odle acknowledged the team wasn’t operating at full strength. 

“DJ’s been out a couple of games,” Odle said. “We’ve got some guys that are bruised and banged up; shoulders and ankles and things like that. So they haven’t practiced at full speed.” 

On the defensive side of the ball, some names have stood out in the stat sheet this season. Junior linebacker Devin Robinson leads the team in tackles with 31 in total, 20 of them unassisted. Senior defensive linemen Xavier Fleming and Keegan Grubbs have dominated the trenches, recording five sacks each. In the secondary, the Farmers have forced four interceptions, including two by junior athlete Deuce Mathis. 

The biggest difference between this year’s defense and last year’s, according to Odle, has been maturity. The unit has grown more disciplined with every snap. 

“We rolled out some really good players last year, but they were sophomores,” Odle said. “So another year of growth, they’re a little bit bigger and stronger, faster, they’re wiser, the game has slowed down.”

Marcus is led by highly recruited four-star junior quarterback Colton Nussmeier. He not only directs the passing game, but also leads the team in rushing, making him a true dual-threat. Through just two full games, Nussmeier has thrown for 421 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. On the ground, he has added 119 yards and two scores on 15 carries. Fleming, also a team captain, said the Farmer defense is aware of the challenge it faces Friday night.

“I can expect Marcus to come out trying to run the power, and trusting Colton to shred our defense,” Fleming said. “I really just tell the guys to play every snap like it’s your last ever. Fans, y’all can expect a fast and physical defense.”

Defensively, Marcus has shown flashes of strength, recording five sacks and two interceptions across their first two games. In their last outing, they held Pearce (1-2) to just 14 points, building momentum to take on Lewisville’s balanced attack. 

“I feel confident about this game,” Fleming said. “Our preparation has been great. We look faster and stronger than ever. All we have to do now is execute.”