Mr. Fickes’ War

Tax dispute launched one of the great rivalries in state history

By Stefan Cooper
Editor
Blount Press Row

Editor’s note: So that our guests from ESPN have a firm grasp of what’s at stake Sunday at noon at Shields Stadium, Blount Press Row obtained permission from the newspaper Blount Today to publish the following history of the Alcoa/Maryville football rivalry.

Maryville junior Shawn Prevo absorbs a hard shot from Alcoa's Mustafa Anthony during last year's game. Photos by Brandon Shinn

Like the founding of America itself, it started over taxes.