HARRISONBURG — Their high schools were located only three miles apart.

They grew up competing against each other and have met countless times on the football field, but on Saturday when James Madison hosts rival William & Mary, old friends Brandon Ravenel and Trey Reed, both seniors, will compete against each other for the final time.

“First thing Brandon always says to me is ‘let’s have a game, No. 8,’” said Reed, a graduate of Colonial Forge High School. “Then it’s go time.”

Ravenel, a JMU receiver, and Reed, a cornerback for William & Mary, are likely to line up directly across from each other throughout the contest. Most snaps will result in one-on-one grudge matches whether Ravenel is assigned to run a route in order to catch a pass, or block on the perimeter for one of JMU’s talented running backs.

A North Stafford High School product, Ravenel leads the Dukes in receptions with 14 and receiving yards with 156. Reed has 21 tackles and is tied for the Tribe team lead in interceptions with two. He also tops William & Mary with four pass breakups.

“I have the utmost respect for Trey Reed,” Ravenel said. “He’s a great kid and an amazing player, but he’s a better friend.”

The relationship goes back over 15 years.

“I can remember going back to when we were 9 years old or so and I just have a bunch of memories with Trey,” Ravenel said. “But I would say, when we were younger, he was always better than I was, so I’m still pushing myself to change that.”

In high school, Reed starred on offense as a running back and on defense as a safety for Colonial Forge.

“One of my biggest games in high school was my freshman year against his school,” Reed said.

It was a game Colonial Forge won 35-20 over North Stafford.

From there, the friendly rivalry between the two players only became more competitive.

“I was a safety and Brandon was a receiver, so we didn’t line up against each other too much in high school, but I have a twin brother who played cornerback,” Reed said. “My twin brother guarded him, so I always knew what we were dealing with when we played him. He’s a baller. I can’t keep telling you that enough.”

Ravenel was an all-state and all-district selection as a senior before he elected to play at JMU over Boston College, Old Dominion, Temple and West Virginia.

William & Mary boasts the Colonial Athletic Association’s second-best pass defense, yielding only 157 yards per game. JMU uses its passing game when it needs to — like when defenses stack the box to stop the CAA’s top rushing attack.

Ravenel is averaging better than 11 yards per reception.

“He’s just a solid receiver and I know his work ethic is serious, so he puts everything out there,” Reed said.

William & Mary coach Jimmye Laycock said he trusts Reed won’t get too distracted in the individual matchup with Ravenel.

“I’ll tell him not to get caught up in what someone else is saying or doing and also to just stick to his fundamentals,” Laycock said.

Ravenel said his approach wouldn’t be different this week compared to how he preps for any other game, but admitted he’s looking forward to seeing his friend.

“It’s never really different until before or after the game,” Ravenel said. “Afterward, it’s always great to see a familiar face and be able to talk a little bit about memories and your relationship. It’s really cool. It’s a blessing.”

The two also were able to catch up in July when Ravenel and Reed represented their schools at CAA Media Day at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.

Since Ravenel got to JMU, the Dukes are 1-2 against William & Mary, giving Reed an edge in the series.

Ravenel had seven catches for 56 yards while Reed had five tackles in William & Mary’s 44-41 win last fall in Williamsburg.

“I know I’m going to get a dogfight from him,” Reed said. “And I’m going to enjoy it again. If he catches a pass, I’ll say ‘good play man.’ I won’t trash talk to him. Everyone else will get it, but not him.”