Lyons Township principal Dr. Brian Waterman anticipated Oct. 3’s LT and Hinsdale Central by initiating a 20 student meeting. With inter-school tensions rising over a video war taking place on social media, Waterman felt as though action must be taken to prevent offensive and violent actions advocated on Twitter and Instagram.

The situation began when Wes Berger ’15 of Hinsdale Central created a rally video to inform the school of a pre-game tailgate at Denning Park. Within hours, Berger’s video spread to LT’s Twitter feeds, Kiely Kruse ‘17 said. Berger never intended for his video to reach LT, and was shocked to discover that LT seniors created a response video

“We wanted to prove that LT goes bigger, and that when Hinsdale messes with us, we mess with them,” Andy Ragains ’15, who appeared in LT’s video, said. “I was upset with Wes Berger. It made me like Hinsdale less, as well as Wes himself.”

As a result of the video feud, Berger said he received threats through social media. “It was definitely a concern, but then again, it was expected just from how big this rivalry is. I wasn’t scared about getting beaten up or anything,” he said, expressing more worry over property damage.

While the videos definitely toed the line, Waterman said he believed both were appropriate. He was aware of threats being made on social media, but felt as though it was merely a small percentage of overall participation, citing social media as a fun way to get students excited about athletics and extra-curricular activities.

“The reason we’re rivals is because we are essentially the same school,” Waterman said. “We’re the same communities. We have two phenomenal, outstanding, high-achieving high schools in both academics and athletics, and that’s kind of what makes the rivalry.”

The feud has lived on for decades, and continues to provoke conflict and entertainment, Waterman said, with the Oct. 3 game generating a crowd of 5,000 students and overflowing the bleachers of Bennett Field.

Once the game began, both schools expressed excitement through vocal student sections. Despite initial concern of violence disputes, the game continued with little physical conflict, the final score being 21-39, Hinsdale winning.

“Social media had a lot of influence,” sophomore Kiely Kruse ’16 said. “Without apps like Twitter and Instagram people probably wouldn’t have been as hyped up, and I’m sure the attendance would be less. Twitter spread the word like a wildfire.”

Students like Kruse enjoyed the tension because it allowed all the students to bond while chanting in support of the team, she said. “Hinsdale doesn’t look at any other school like they look at LT because we compete with them so well,” Waterman said. “That’s what creates a great rivalry.”