The Howard and Long Reach football teams are rivals in every sense of the word.
But the high schools share something beyond the gridiron that is much more important: the Ellicott City community.
"Like a lot of people, my wife and I were sitting there watching all the horrible video of what's going on and like a lot of people we thought, 'What can we do to help?'" said Lions head football coach Bruce Strunk.
The Long Reach, Centennial and Howard football programs joined forces to put together a donation drive Monday in the Howard High School parking lot asking for checks or non-perishable food items to be delivered to the victims of the historic flood that took place on Main Street and other places in Ellicott City July 30.
In total, the drive raised $15,654.18 for the victims.
"It's a close community and we tend to help each other out," said Lightning assistant coach Harold Williams. "Bruce contacted (head football) coach (Jamie) Willis ... and sent us a message saying, 'Let's get the students together and let's all be a part of this.' It's about giving back to the community."
The original idea was to collect cleaning items like trash bags, snow shovels, rubber gloves and sponges and go to the affected area to help clean up, but county executive Allan Kittleman asked people not to bring construction supplies or donations to the location.
Food and cash donations, however, were allowed, and would be handled by the American Red Cross. From 4 to 7 p.m., there was a steady stream of cars dropping off cash, checks or other goods.
"We're football players, but that's what we do as a hobby. This is who we are as people," Strunk said. "The kids were all fired up about it because a lot of them wanted to help. They wanted to go down there and help, but they weren't allowed to. This is the next best thing, and the community is just rallying behind us and it's awesome.
"I live in Ellicott City, so I'm very proud of what's going on right now."
John White, Director of Communications for the Howard County School System, watched as students carried items into two large box trucks, both of which were nearly halfway full after just a half an hour.
Strunk said cash donations are going to the Ellicott City Partnership, while food and water donations are going to the Howard County Food Bank.
"It's just an amazing effort. Obviously the students saw the images of what was going on this weekend in Ellicott City and wanted to do something to help," White said. "It's just admirable that (Strunk) came up with this idea to work with his colleagues at other schools and pull together a relief effort. We've got a good turn out from students and parents and the community; there's a line of cars coming in. It's well organized and it's going to a great cause."
Ryan Paterson, a rising junior at Centennial, said he came to help because he and his friends enjoy going to Main Street to hang out.
"We were there two nights before the tragedy happened," he said. "It's really upsetting to see the place where I call home up in ruins. I wanted to see what I could do, and when I heard this was going on I made out some time and came here."