Watauga and Avery County high schools have a special rivalry. The two mountain schools are separated by about 20 miles and years of friendly ridicule. They aren't in the same athletic conference, but play each other regularly each year in a number of sports. The annual football game is known as the Battle for the Bucket, with the winner retaining rights to a "golden" bucket until the next game.

The rivalry has moved past involving a ball and now includes a drum. For the past few years the schools have enjoyed a Drum Off, featuring a showdown between the percussion sections of each school's band. This year the competition was held within the Avery school gymnasium. Enjoy some young High County rhythm!