Outside the Line's article featuring La Costa Canyon's Connor Garrett and Oceanside's Justin Vae'ena juxtaposes the different world's of two players, and their respective schools, two schools that compete in North County San Diego.

While a sociolgist might consider their unique demographics worlds apart, I'd argue the two schools are much more similar than made out to be.

Both Oceanside and La Costa Canyon have written stories on their own this season. The Pirates finished with an impressive undefeated 9-0-1 regular season, and currently running their unbeaten streak to 23 games, while the Mavericks never lost to a San Diego section team, finishing with an 8-2 mark, and eventually advancing to their very first section championship game appearance in the school's 12 year history. Both teams are playing out of their minds and have dedicated themselves to winning CIF championships Friday night at Qualcomm Stadium. From a more universal perspective both schools have always only been committed to one thing, excellence in the classroom and on the field. Have they not?

While the socio-economic chasm between the two schools might extend the reaches between Oceanside and La Costa, there is a common bond that each of these school's players share. Is it their new found North County rivalry, which took flight in the mud bath at Oceanside High one year ago? Maybe it's their rough rider cultures, of Mavericks and Pirates. Or maybe its something so simple it exists right under their feet.

The single force that brings these two team's together is a familiar game everybody loves. For two different programs "worlds apart," football has proved itself as a democritizing force, a platform that allows competition on an equal level, disregarding pettiness and superficiality. "Elite" is determined by an "L" or a "W," nothing more, and nothing less. On Friday nights, there are no inequalities, prejudicess, or injustices, there is only a 100 yard field, a score board, and a bunch of athletes standing on different sides of the field.

Outside the Line's article unearth's a story that doesn't actually take presidence in the locker rooms, under the helmets, in the coaching box, or on the field of play. Football does not belong to the neighborhoods of La Costa or Oceanside. Football belongs to the players, coaches, and fans that gather together around the same green field each Friday night. Football is a liberating force that delivers freedom and rebirth to all.