Coaches Riordan, Kinder weigh in on importance of annual "Backyard Brawl" rivalry game

MISHAWAKA, Ind. -- Separated by a little more than one mile of road, Penn and Mishawaka high schools have long used the annual ‘Backyard Brawl’ rivalry game to bring their respective communities together for one night of high-octane action.  

For Mishawaka Cavemen head coach Keith Kinder, the backyard brawl has been a part of his life for the better part of 20 years.   

Kinder says his favorite part of this whole experience is introducing his newer players to a big game atmosphere.  

“The environment at the games are championship-level environments even though it is a week two game now so, I think it just adds to making it a fun atmosphere and a fun game to be a part of,” Kinder says.  

Just 1.2 miles across town at Penn high school, Kingsmen head football coach Pete Riordan has been a part of this rivalry since the early 2000’s.    

Riordan has seen many successful Backyard Brawls, as the Kingsmen have collected 23 wins since 2000, and the message to his players comes directly from what he has learned all those years.  

“It’s easy to come out too high and then fall flat, you know, right off the kickoff,” Riordan says. “So, you have to manage those emotions, much like you would in a playoff atmosphere, so it’s a good opportunity for us to do that early in the season.” 

From the first chapter in 1965, up until now, the game and sport have seen numerous changes from technological advances to the gear, and even the field which the game is played on.  

But one thing that has never changed is the ultimate will to win, not only for a year’s worth of bragging rights, but for the mark these athletes and coaches hope to leave behind when their time on the field runs out.  

The Penn Kingsmen currently lead the Backyard Brawl series with a record of 50-16-1.