Stevenson and Eisenhower have waged one of Macomb County’s fiercest high school football rivalries.

The two teams from Utica Community Schools first met in 1972, and the series really took off in the mid-1980s. The two teams renew their rivalry on Thursday at Swinehart Field in Utica.

This year’s meeting will be different, of course. Longtime Stevenson coach Rick Bye has retired, and this will be the first time since 1974 that Bye has not been on the sidelines for an Ike-Stevenson showdown.

But Eisenhower’s Bob Lantzy, the only coach in the program’s history, remains as the Eagles’ leader, and he hopes his squad can break out of their funk against their arch-rivals.

Eisenhower has lost two straight and four of five against the Titans. But the Eagles opened the 2010 regular season with a 17-7 victory over Ford, and they hope they can continue to roll on Thursday.

"This team doesn't have high emotions and a drop-off when things aren't going well,” Lantzy said. “I think this team is going to improve like mad. It's going to be an interesting year. It's going to be interesting to see how much they grow."

Senior quarterback/safety Bradon Bartneck has emerged as one of the top players for Ike.

"He's a solid, all-around leader,” Lantzy said. “He's a top student in the senior class. He's so level headed. Everybody has confidence in him."

Stevenson, meanwhile, must bounce back from a season-opening 35-0 loss to Howell at Eastern Michigan.

New Titans coach Steve Goralski knows plenty about the rivalry. Not only has he served as a longtime assistant on Bye’s staff, but he was also a player for Stevenson during the 1980s.

Stevenson leads the all-time series 20-18.