YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. | A pair of Conference Carolinas rivals separated by just 84 miles have embarked on a journey to hoist college athletics' newest trophy as Emmanuel University and Young Harris College compete in the inaugural installment of The Roar War rivalry series. The Lions and Mountain Lions will battle throughout the year in 17 sports, utilizing a points system that rewards on-field success and community service efforts. At the end of the 2025-26 school year, the winning school will take home the Lions Cup, presented during its athletics banquet. 

The scoring system awards 0.5 points to the school with the most three-point field goals in men's and women's basketball and the most strikeouts in baseball and softball when competing head-to-head (these will be tallied up at the end of their respective seasons). Regular season home victories are worth one point, while away wins earn 1.5 points. Postseason victories and the highest finish in men's and women's track, cross country, and golf conference championships are worth two points. Additionally, three points will be awarded to the school with the most cumulative community service hours among basketball, baseball, and softball programs (tallied up at the end of the spring semester). 

Through the first three months of competition, Young Harris College holds a commanding 12.5–3.5 lead over Emmanuel University. Emmanuel claimed 2.5 points in volleyball with a win in Young Harris and a home victory. In women's soccer, Emmanuel opened the series with a home win, but Young Harris responded with two straight victories; one at home and another in the Conference Carolinas Quarterfinals. On the men's soccer side, the Mountain Lions swept the series, earning wins at home and on the road. Young Harris added four more points after both cross country programs finished higher than Emmanuel at the Conference Carolinas Championships. The YHC women placed ninth compared to Emmanuel's 11th, while the men's team earned an impressive second-place finish against Emmanuel's 10th. Winter sports tipped off recently, with the first Roar War Basketball games on November 25 in Franklin Springs. The YH women edged Emmanuel by five points in a close game, and the Mountain Lions men's squad followed with a decisive win. 

As it stands, Young Harris leads Emmanuel 12.5 to 3.5. With winter sports heating up and spring competition on the horizon, the race for the Lions Cup is far from over. Will Young Harris continue its dominant start, or will Emmanuel rally? Stay tuned as The Roar War rolls on.