When two teams meet on the football field, it is always a match up of fierce competitors, but there is something more when the yellow and black meet the blue and silver. The first shovel hit the dirt along Stanford Ranch Road in the mid 1990's, but by the strength of this rivalry, you would tend to believe the Rocklin - Del Oro feud goes back to when the Eagles first broke ground along Taylor Road 52 years ago. The Rocklin Thunder and Del Oro Eagles meet tonight in Rocklin for the 16th time and once again it is clear, this is no ordinary football game.

The two sides will not only play for pride, but for the chance to carry the badge of slain Rocklin Police Officer Mathew Redding. The young officer was on a DUI check point when a drunk driving blew through the cones and struck Redding at the end of the night. That accident took the life of Matt six years ago; however Redding lives on in the community he spent so much time giving back to.

Rocklin and Del Oro football photos

For more information on Matt Redding visit the Matt Redding Foundation.