ANNAPOLIS, Md. — A pair of quarterbacks that played against each other in high school will have a big say in determining the future location of the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy.

Ricky Dobbs is the first-year starting quarterback at Navy, which has held the coveted piece of hardware since 2002. Tim Jefferson is the starting quarterback at Air Force, which is seeking to snap a six-game losing streak to its service academy rival today.

"It's a little bit personal," Dobbs said. "It's definitely going to be fun to get that high school rivalry going again."

That's because the two Georgia natives met in 2005, when Dobbs led Douglas County High to a 35-7 victory over Jefferson and his Woodward Academy.

"His team kind of pounded my team," Jefferson acknowledged this week. "His team was more of a throw it around the field type team and we were a triple-option team. Something had to give. He's a really good passer."

Dobbs and Jefferson also met on the basketball court, with Douglas County winning two of those games as well. "I didn't see much revenge in basketball," Jefferson said with a laugh.

Jefferson, a sophomore who chose Air Force over Navy due in part to the presence of Dobbs in Annapolis, said a win at the collegiate level would wipe out those other losses.

"I'm trying to find a way to beat him," Jefferson said. "Hopefully this is the chance."

Navy has dominated the series of late, winning six straight meetings with all but one decided by a touchdown or less. The Midshipmen have 13 consecutive victories over service academy opponents, which is why the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy has resided in The Rotunda of Bancroft Hall since 2003.

That does not sit well with Air Force (3-1), which dominated the annual football competition among the three major service academies for two decades. The Falcons captured the trophy 17 times from 1982 through 2002, beating the Midshipmen 19 of 21 years during that stretch.

"There's no point in not talking about the giant elephant in the room. Everyone knows how badly we all want to beat Navy," Jefferson said.

Air Force out-gained Navy 411 to 244 last year in Colorado Springs. However, the Midshipmen blocked two punts and recovered them for touchdowns to key a 33-27 victory.

"We're all real frustrated. We really want to get a W against Navy," Air Force cornerback Reggie Rembert said. "We've been shooting ourselves in the foot a lot the last few seasons. We've got to eliminate the critical mistakes."

Air Force has looked impressive in starting this season 3-1, with the lone loss coming by a touchdown to Minnesota. The Falcons have outscored their other three opponents 135-27.

Jefferson directs an Air Force attack that is averaging 37 points and 406 yards per game, most of it on the ground. The Falcons spread the ball around to a deep stable of backs, leading the nation with a rushing average of 319 yards. Asher Clark and Jared Tew lead the while, while four other ball carriers have more than 100 yards rushing this season.Jefferson, who started eight games in 2008 and was the Mountain West Conference freshman of the year, has not played since hurting an ankle in the first quarter against New Mexico on Sept. 19. Jefferson sat out last Saturday's 26-14 victory over San Diego State with fellow sophomore Connor Dietz getting his first collegiate start and performing well.

Air Force ranks second nationally in turnover margin, having forced 15 and committing only two. Rembert and fellow defensive back Anthony Wright have both been ball hawks, with each recording two interceptions, forcing a fumble and recovering one.

After struggling mightily against Pittsburgh on Sept. 19, Navy (2-2) got its offense on track last Saturday against Western Kentucky, posting season-highs for total yards (473), rushing yards (373) and points (38). Dobbs led the way by rushing for 143 yards and four touchdowns, while also doing a better job in the option game.

Air Force coach Troy Calhoun is concerned with the dual threat presented by Dobbs, who has completed 24 of 47 passes for 448 yards and three touchdowns and also leads the Midshipmen with 294 yards rushing and nine touchdowns for the season.

"Over the last 12 years of college football, there have only been a few guys that stand out in terms of how balanced they are in terms of being able to execute some option and also be able to throw the ball exceptionally well," Calhoun said.