Sun Oct 13 03:10:00 UTC 2024: ## From High School Rivals to Wildcats Teammates: Giddens and Edwards Find Common Ground
**MANHATTAN, KS** – Two Kansas State running backs, DJ Giddens and Dylan Edwards, have an unlikely story of friendship stemming from their high school rivalry. In November 2020, Giddens, a Junction City Blue Jay, and Edwards, a Derby Panther, faced off in a thrilling 6A state playoff game. Edwards’ Derby team emerged victorious, ending Giddens’ high school career with a 62-27 loss.
Despite the competitive nature of the game, Edwards remembers Giddens’ standout performance: “He was actually the only running back I remember when I was in high school rushing for 200 yards against us.”
Years later, both players found themselves at Kansas State. Edwards, after a year at Colorado, transferred to his original commitment, while Giddens, who redshirted in 2021, became a key player for the Wildcats.
The reunion wasn’t without a touch of irony. “It was kind of funny when he came up here, thinking about (how) we’re playing on the same team, rooting for each other,” Giddens said.
Their past rivalry seems a distant memory. The two share a room on the road and motivate each other on and off the field. They both agree: “It’s all love.”
“He’s never shied away from talking to me,” Edwards said of Giddens. “We laugh about (the game in high school), but other than that, it’s all love.”
Giddens echoes the sentiment: “We always root for each other. There ain’t no envy between each other. We want to see each other keep doing good and working hard.”
This unexpected friendship proves that even the fiercest of rivals can find common ground, especially when striving for success together.
First Piper 