There’s a running joke that App State fans moonlight in Carolina blue when no one is looking. But for yours truly, that’s rather close to the truth.

My family moved to Boone back in 2000. Though I was born in New England, I still consider Boone my hometown and likely always will. I grew up during the glory days of App State football under legendary head coach Jerry Moore, who led the program to its greatest seasons ever. Moore’s Mountaineers won three straight FCS (then known as Division I-AA) national championships in 2005, 2006 and 2007. I was 9, 10 and 11 years old.

Not only that, but App picked up its greatest win ever during that time: a 34-32 upset of No. 5 Michigan in the Big House during Labor Day Weekend in 2007. I was unfortunately not in Boone that weekend and was visiting my dad in Durham, but I saw videos of students picking up the goalpost in Kidd Brewer Stadium and carrying it to the front lawn of the chancellor’s house.

To this day, local restaurants around Boone still have framed copies of the following week’s Sports Illustrated issue which featured App on the cover. 

A large chunk of my high school graduating class went to App; I was one of a handful who went to Chapel Hill in 2014. Still, I followed the Mountaineers closely throughout my time in college, even if I hadn’t attended a game for many years. 

I always longed for the day when the Tar Heels and Mountaineers would meet on the football field. Like many others, I circled Saturday’s date from the moment it was announced. Seeing App come to Kenan Stadium was cool, but there’s something different about the Tar Heels coming all the way “up the mountain,” as we say. Boone has changed quite a bit since the day I arrived, but Carolina will still play in the shadow of Rich Mountain and Howard’s Knob, and that’s enough for me.

My connections to both schools are about as well-forged as could be. My mom, dad, aunt, brother and both grandfathers are all UNC alumni and Tar Heel fans. On the other hand, I spent 14 years living full-time in Boone and went to Kidd Brewer long before I ever set foot in Kenan.

Worlds will collide this Saturday, there’s no doubt about that. And let’s be honest: letting your college friends meet your hometown friends is always a bit of a mess.

I just hope both teams have fun.

 

Featured image via USA Today Sports/James Guillory

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