Mascot matchup
Each Friday night in the fall, local student athletes face off on the football field. But for a moment, let’s forget all that. Let’s take a different look at the battle — who would win in a fight, a trojan or a dragon? The Times spoke with experts to determine the answer. And each Friday this season, we’ll pit two different mascots against each other.
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It’s Week 2 of football season for most area high schools, and the action on the field is already intensifying.
One of tonight’s marquee matchups pits the North Hall Trojans against the Jefferson Dragons. On the field, the Trojans, who were off last week, will try to start their season on a winning note, and the Dragons will seek to carry forward the momentum gained from a 17-14 win over Commerce. But we’re taking a look at the hypothetical — the very hypothetical.
Specifically, who would win in a literal matchup between the team’s mascots?
This week’s contenders are the Dragons and the Trojans, who meet tonight at the Brickyard.
Each side has its advantages. History tells that the mighty Trojans of Troy held the Greeks back for 10 years behind their heavily fortified walls. Defense is on their side, said Winter Elliot, English professor at Brenau University.
“Trojans are good with teamwork, but they have a tendency to make rash decisions,” she said.
Steve Nicklas, who teaches archeology at Gainesville State College, said the Trojans would have had an arsenal of bronze weapons and armor made of leather and wood. They were nearly unstoppable when attacked from the front, but a little easier to attack from the flank.
Dragons, meanwhile, are usually solitary creatures, Elliot said.
“They keep their eyes on the prize; when they have it they hoard it,” she said.
Dan Carroll, spokesman for annual fantasy convention DragonCon, held in Atlanta, said on the surface, a dragon is a much more menacing opponent. They are large, fire-breathing and can use aerial assault.
“They are difficult to kill and impossible to tame,” he said.
The Jefferson High School Dragons reportedly earned their name in the 1950s, after a schoolwide contest to choose a mascot. Prior to that time, they were unofficially nicknamed the Mud Turtles, because many of the early games were rainy, Athletic Director Tim Corbett said.
Less is known about the origins of the North Hall High School Trojans, but staff speculated the name fit with other area school themes, such as the East Hall Vikings and Johnson Knights.
So who has the edge in this matchup between human warriors and mythical beasts?
The answers are mixed. Carroll said while Trojans are well protected and have greater numbers, a dragon would shut out the army based on size, strength and speed.
Nicklas’ vote goes to the Trojan army.
“If they can avoid the fire, they will win,” he said.