SPANISH FORT, Alabama —"Monday Afternoon Lights" may never have the same cache' as "Friday Night Lights" when it comes to high school football, but the Daphne Trojans and Spanish Fort Toros made Labor Day 2012 one for the scrapbooks and archives Sept. 3 as a major rivalry was born.

It came into the world a little wobbly at first but by the second half, was one beautiful, bouncing, battle-for-bragging-rights baby.

The two neighboring schools had met in every sport except on the gridiron until they kicked off the regular season at Toros Stadium in front of an ESPN national television audience and an over-flowing crowd which had some family members divided in a debut that went down

to the final seconds when the Toros could claim the 20-14 victory over the Trojans. Each team won the Alabama state championship in their Classifications in 2010. Spanish Fort in 5A and Daphne in 6A.

“This was about two communities coming together to support their schools and their kids and still show love and respect for each other and enjoy a good football game," said Spanish Fort coach Mark Freeman.

"So many of our kids and Daphne kids grew up together and know each other and we believe we're all family. But we're competitive, too. We wanted this game. I know coach (Glenn) Vickery wanted it. We felt like we had to be patient and let them tell us what to do. When they told

us to pass it, we did, but they were telling us to run it most of the time, so we did. We knew there would be storms early on and I just told the guys just that. And to weather those storms and we would get our chance if we just stayed close. And they did and we did. But I’m

just so proud of how this team played."

After a scoreless first period, Daphne struck first with a Trey Jenkins’ 11-yard touchdown run and Tyler Cook point after with 5:34 left in the first half and SFHS answered two minutes later with a 33-yard field goal by Alexander Theodore to make it a 7-3 game at the half. A 23-yard FG by Theodore made it 7-6 and a Joel Poe pass to SF

receiver D.J. Johnson for a 61-yard touchdown gave the home team their first lead with a 12-7 margin. But Daphne rallied late in the third to go 89 yards in under two minutes to retake the lead on Josh Johnson’s

5-yard run that was set up by a 57-yard T.J. Fleeton to Chris Sain pass. Daphne led 14-12 to open the fourth period. Spanish Fort stalled on it's next drive as Theodore hooked a 32-yard attempt that would

have made it a 15-14 game. But Daphne stalled as well after one first down and the Toros took over at their own 37 with 4:50 to go. Two minutes and 20 seconds later, Sammy Tolbert took a delayed hand-off from Poe at the Daphne nine for the go-ahead TD. Tolbert set up his

score with a 39-yard run. SF then went for two points and scored on a draw by Poe for the final.

Daphne coach Glenn Vickery was disappointed but direct.

“It was the first game. We made some mistakes. I think both teams did,” he said. “That will happen in a big setting like this. Kids will get a little tense. But still we had a chance to respond and just didn’t get it done. We didn't slow them down enough. They scored 20 points on us so we have to play better. But it's a great setting with

two good teams that are really wanting to win. But they came out ahead. They did a lot things well and again, no excuses, but I've never seen a Daphne team cramp up as much and we were scrambling around to get people in the game. And I am proud of how the guys who

got in just played their hearts out. I was proud of that because some of them were not down to play a lot tonight, but all of a sudden they're in the real battle and I think that will help us down the

road.”

Both teams had a moment of silence together for Daphne coach Jacy Todd who is in an Atlanta rehab hospital with severe spinal-cord injuries suffered Aug. 1. The spectators from both sides contributed a total of $658 to the Todd's family recovery fund.

"Everything coach Todd stands for — we miss," Vickery said. "Just a great person, father, teacher and a great coach. And he's going to be mad at us for not getting this win for him. But we will do better for him."

Freeman also said Todd was on everyone's mind and heart. "Not a day goes by that we don't pray for coach Todd. I believe God has a plan for that and we are believers and with the prayers of these communities we will see a miracle come out of this."

The region schedule starts Friday. Spanish Fort hosts B.C. Rain, while Daphne travels to Baldwin County High in Bay Minette.