Rep. Pauline Wendzel’s Southwest Michigan School Spirit Tournament is down to the Elite Eight. For those who thought this was just a lighthearted popularity contest, think again. What’s happening here is bigger than a few social media likes—it’s about pride, legacy, and the heartbeat of small-town Michigan.

Hartford, Lawrence, Watervliet, Coloma, Decatur, Bangor, Grace Christian, and Gobles have punched their tickets to the second round—eight schools that have proven their communities show up. And as the Elite Eight begins, all eyes are on a matchup that has defined this corner of the state for generations: The Red Arrow Rivalry.