![Cobia Cup Graphic featuring First Flight High and Manteo High soccer.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1758294188/darek12ncus/lfkiwc5x3kubxxjmmtsx/CobiaCupThumbnail.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1758294188/darek12ncus/lfkiwc5x3kubxxjmmtsx/CobiaCupThumbnail.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1758294188/darek12ncus/lfkiwc5x3kubxxjmmtsx/CobiaCupThumbnail.png","width":800}])
Hannah Nash
Move over, Marlin. Now, the Cobia are running.
Just about everybody on the Outer Banks knows about the annual Marlin Bowl between the First Flight and Manteo football teams. Earlier this week, officials at FFHS and MHS announced the creation of the Cobia Cup, which will take place four times a year between the men’s and women’s varsity soccer teams. When a team wins the Cobia Cup, they get to keep the trophy until the other school wins it back.
In the past, Manteo and First Flight have had a good soccer rivalry, but now with a trophy on the line, the matches will only get bigger. The first Cobia Cup game will take place Monday, Sept. 22, at 6 p.m. at FFHS. The JV teams will take the field at 4:30 and a huge crowd is expected, so fans are encouraged to arrive early for all the action.
“I think it’s a great idea because it kind of brings a different element to the competition, that ‘wantable’ prize,” First Flight men’s soccer coach Juan Ramirez said. “I know for a fact the boys are really excited for it, to have something more than just the score. The rivalry is great between the two schools. Everybody has the passion, the school spirit, the pride of representing your school and your community, and I think this adds another level to that.”
The teams met Wednesday night in Manteo, with the Nighthawks pulling out a hard-fought 2-1 victory. Manteo head coach Ralph Cleaver said his men’s team hasn’t beaten FFHS in his 10 years of coaching, but there often has been talk of some kind of special rivalry game similar to what happens in some European leagues.
“We joked years ago that football has the Marlin Bowl, so having something like the FA Community Shield, that trophy or cup tied into the game, would be cool,” Cleaver said. “Kids nowadays love their photo ops. They can hold a trophy or a cup and it goes onto their social media. That adds a little more incentive than just the rivalry game.”
Monday’s game has a lot to offer besides being the first Cobia Cup. Not only will fans get to see a thrilling match between two local teams fighting to be the first to hoist the trophy, but the game will feature members of the Outer Banks’ local youth soccer club, the OBX Storm, scrimmaging at halftime.
All members of the OBX Storm wearing their Storm jersey will get in the game for free, and community members are encouraged to pack the stands as well for this soccer showcase. Tickets are $10 at the gate, cash only.
“I think what makes the First Flight vs. Manteo rivalry so important is the small-town community being brought together, bringing out the best of both teams,” Manteo senior captain Eli Jones said. “I also think the fact every player knows each other makes it that much more competitive.”
Certainly the Nighthawks are eager to play for this new prize after Manteo’s football team won back the Marlin earlier this month. The football matchup is tied 11-11 since FFHS opened in the 2004-05 school year.
“Since 2019, I’ve been obsessed with the Marlin Bowl, the rivalry,” First Flight senior back Roddy Calletano said. “It’s like the World Cup for us, that desire to win, because you know it’s going to be talked about for a while. I can’t wait for that Cobia. It raises the stakes even more. Now you definitely have something to play for.”
With the Marlin Bowl taking place just once a year at one of the schools, the Cobia Cup offers four chances for community engagement on both sides of the bridge with two men’s games in the fall and two matchups between the women’s teams each spring. That means the bragging rights can bounce back and forth between the schools, giving fans something to look forward to several times throughout the school year.
While a huge crowd is hoped for at every game – and sometimes things can get a little rowdy when Manteo and FFHS get together in any sport – the coaches aren’t worried too much about that.
“I think both the kids and adults are mature enough to handle it,” Cleaver said. “A lot of our kids on both sides of the bridge are pretty good friends. The rivalry’s there, they want to beat each other, but at the end of the day, most of them are pretty good friends, which is cool.”
