As High School Football America celebrates its 20th season, we’re going to give fans a look at high school football history. Today, we’re going to look at some of the sport’s oldest rivalries.
We start with America’s first high school football game. It was played in Connecticut in 1875 between Norwich Free Academy and Bulkeley School, now known as New London High School. The game was played May 12, 1875.
2024 will mark the 162nd game between the rivals who are about 20 miles apart. The game is now played on Thanksgiving morning. Last year, New London beat the NFA 35-13 to cut into the Wildcats’ 80-70-11 lead in the all-time series.
High School Football America visited America’s oldest game in 2009. Below are two videos we produced during our visit.
Let’s move on to the private prep schools battle that began in 1878. It’s an interstate game between Phillips Andover Academy in Massachusetts and Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire. The schools were founded by members of the Phillips family in the late 1700’s.
Andover is the older of the two Phillips Academies, which are independent of each other. Samuel Phillips founded Andover. His uncle, John, founded Exeter.
This year, the two schools will be playing their 143rd game. Exeter won last year’s game 47-20. Andover leads the all-time series 75-57-10.
Below is video from the 1967 game won by by Andover 20-6.
In 1882, suburban Boston, Massachusetts rivals Needham and Wellesley (formerly known as West Needham) began their annual Thanksgiving Day battle. The game is known as the oldest public school rivalry in the country.
Last year, Needham beat their rivals 21-7 for the first time since 2018. Wellesley leads the all-time series 66-61-9.
The two met at Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox, in 2015.
While New York City is known more for high school basketball than football, the battle between Fordham Prep and Xavier on the gridiron has been around a long time. Last year, the two schools met for the 100th time. Fordham won the ’23 version of the Turkey Bowl 21-14. It was the Rams fourth in a row and 55th, increasing their lead in the series to 55-41-4
Back in Massachusetts, Milton Academy and Noble and Greenough have been playing since 1886.
In another Massachusetts rivalry, Groton School beat St. Mark’s 33-0 in 2023 for the school’s sixth straight win in the series that started in 1886.
Until the coronavirus pandemic, Boston English and Boston Latin owned the longest continuously played rivalry. The streak was snapped at 133 straight in 2020. Latin has a huge lead in the series having won 84 of the 136 games. There have been 13 ties.
Public School Rivalries
Malden (Massachusetts) vs. Medford (Massachusetts) – started 1889
This year’s Thanksgiving matchup will be the 137th between the Malden Golden Eagles and Medford Mustangs. Malden leads the all-time series 69-57-10.
Baltimore City College (Maryland) vs. Baltimore Poly (Maryland) – started 1889
The City-Poly game is the oldest high school football rivalry in Maryland. This year will mark the 135th game between the schools. City brings a twelve game win streak into the contest. That streak has given the Black Knights a 66-62-6 lead in the all-time series.
Proctor (Utica, New York) vs. Rome Free Academy (New York) – started 1891
The last time these two played was in 2022. There was no game last season after the two were moved into different leagues.
Winchester (Massachusetts) vs. Woburn Memorial (Massachusetts) – started 1891
Last year, Woburn Memorial won the Thanksgiving rivalry game 20-17. That tied the all-time series 55-55-12. This year’s game will be the 123rd.
Beverly (Massachusetts) vs. Salem (Massachusetts) – started 1891
Known as The Game, it will celebrates its 126th meeting this year. Salem won 35-14 to cut into Beverly’s lead in the series to 64-54-7.
Newburyport (Massachusetts) vs. Amesbury (Massachusetts) – started 1891
Newburyport beat Amesbury 44-26 last year in the 100th game between the two. Newburyport leads the all-time series 54-41-6
Central (Pueblo, Colorado) vs. Centennial (Colorado) – started 1892
This one is known as the Bell Game. Central won its fifth straight in the series with a 52-0 win in 2023. Central leads the all-time series 61-53-9.
Abilene (Kansas) vs. Chapman (Kansas) – started 1892
This game is the oldest game west of the Mississippi. Abilene won last year’s game 33-6.
Northeast (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) vs. Central (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) – started 1892
The annual Thanksgiving Day game will celebrate its 125th game this year. The two battle for the Wooden Horse, a hand-carved mahogany statue that’s been handed-out since 1947.
Cony (Maine) vs. Gardiner (Maine) – started 1892
The two schools battle for The Boot. Cony won last year’s battle 28-14. It leads the all-time series 77-58-10.
Male (Louisville, Kentucky) vs. duPont Manual (Kentucky) – started 1893
It’s known as The Old Rivalry or the Battle of the Barrel. 2024 will mark the 143rd game between the two. Last year, the two played twice with Male winning the regular season game and then ousting their arch-rivals from the postseason. Male leads the historic series 91-45-6.
Vineland (New Jersey) vs. Millville (New Jersey) – started 1893
These two Thanksgiving rivals will play for the 153rd time in 2024. It’s been a very close series with Vineland owning the series lead 67-66-19.
St. Ignatius College Prep (San Francisco, California) vs. Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep (California) – started 1893
The Bruce-Mahoney Trophy is awarded to the winner. Sacred Heart won last year, but St. Ignatius still holds a large advantage in the series, 63-29-7.
New Bedford (Massachusetts) vs. Durfee (Massachusetts) – started 1893
New Bedford won the 131st meeting last Thanksgiving to take a 78-42-10 lead in the series.
Gonzaga College (Washington, DC) vs. St. John’s College High School (Washington, DC) – started 1893
While the series began in the late 1800’s, the schools didn’t play each other regularly until 1928. They played their 100th game in 2021.
Mt. Carmel (Pennsylvania) vs. Shamokin (Pennsylvania) – started 1893
Mt. Carmel won its 27th straight Coal Bucket with a 46-13 win. The Red Tornadoes, Pennsylvania’s all-time winningest high school football program leads the series 55-15-2.
Athol (Massachusetts) vs. Mahar Regional (Massachusetts) – started 1894
The two played their 82nd Thanksgiving Day game in 2023.
St. Johnsbury Academy (Vermont) vs. Lyndon Institute (Vermont) – started 1894
St. Johnsbury Academy won last year’s contest 46-16, the 118th in the series. SJA leads the all-time series 68-44-6.
Menominee (Michigan) vs. Marinette (Wisconsin) – started 1894
Menominee hoisted the M&M Log Trophy after winning the 117th playing of the Michigan-Wisconsin rivalry last year. The 26-0 shutout increased Menomiee’s lead in the all-time series to 59-51-7.
Massillon Washington (Ohio) vs. Canton McKinley (Ohio) – started 1894
Is known as The War of 1894. This year marks the 135th game between the two. Massillon leads the series 75-53-5.
Leominster (Massachusetts) vs. Fitchburg (Massachusetts) – started 1894
This year’s game will be the 143rd game betweeen the two. Last year’s game was played a Fenway Park on Thanksgiving Eve. Leominster won 59-7 last year to take a 72-62-9 lead in the series.
Newton North (Massachusetts) vs. Brookline (Massachusetts) – started 1894
This year’s game that will be played on Thanksgiving will be the 130th between the schools. Newton North won 42-21, the school’s 14th against it arch-rival in the last 15 games.
Ottawa Township (Illinois) vs. Streator Township (Illinois) – started 1894
Ottawa shutout Streator 41-0 in the 102nd meeting last year. Ottawa leads the all-time series 61-39-2.
Ansonia (Connecticut) vs. Naugatuck (Connecticut) – started 1895
Naugatuck won last year’s Thanksgiving morning game 42-22. Ansonia has a large lead in the series, 77-36-10.
Sandusky (Ohio) vs. Fremont Ross (Ohio) – started 1895
This year will mark the 119th battle between these Buckeye State schools. Fremont Ross won last year’s contest 21-15, the school’s third straight against its arch-rival. It was the Little Giants 52nd all-time win in the series.
Barnstable (Massachusetts) vs. Falmouth (Massachusetts) – started 1895
Barnstable won last year’s Thanksgiving Day game 54-8 on Cape Cod.
Warwick Valley (New York) vs. Goshen (New York) – started 1896
This is the second old high school football rivalry in New York State. This one is played for the Spirit Trophy. Below is video from the 127th game in 2022.
Adrian (Michigan) vs. Monroe (Michigan) – started 1896
Through the years, the schools have move into different leagues, so the rivalry hasn’t played on regular basis in recent years.
Plainwell (Michigan) vs. Otsego (Michigan) – started 1896
Last year, Otsego snapped an eleven game losing streak against it rivals. Plainwell still owns a large lead in the series, 71-45-6.
Oil City (Pennsylvania) vs. Franklin (Pennsylvania) – started 1896
Oil City won last year’s game in the Route 8 Rivalry. The Oilers have now won six straight against their rivals. This year will mark the 146th game between the two.
Radnor (Pennsylvania) vs. Lower Merion (Pennsylvania) – started 1897
Lower Merion won the second straight The Rivalry game 56-12 last year to take a 61-57-11 lead in the series.
Middletown (New York) vs. Port Jervis (New York) – started 1897
Middletown beat Port Jervis in the 145th game between the school’s battling for the Erie Bell. The win was the 79th for Middletown, against 49 wins for Port Jersey. There have been seven ties.
East Orange (New Jersey) vs. Barringer (New Jersey) – started 1897
The game is played on Thanksgiving. Last year’s 38-0 win by East Orange gives the Jaguars a 63-39-9 lead in the series.
Lewiston (Maine) vs. Edward Little (Maine) – started 1897
It’s known as the Battle of the Bridge. Last year’s game was played after a horrific mass shooting that killed 18 people at a Lewiston bowling alley.
Sandwich (Illinois) vs. Plano (Illinois) – started 1897
After a four year hiatus, the War on 34 played the 112th matchup last year. Sandwich won 27-7 last year, giving the Indians a 56-52-4 all-time advantage over the Reapers.
LaSalle-Peru (Illinois) vs. Ottawa Township (Illinois) – started 1898
LaSalle-Peru won 24-19 last year, the school’s ninth in the series.
Webster Groves (Missouri) vs. Kirkwood (Missouri) – started 1898
Kirkwood rolled to its 10th straight Turkey Bowl win in 2023.
Ironton (Ohio) vs. Portsmouth (Ohio) – started 1898
Ironton won its seventh straight in Ohio’s second oldest high school football rivalry last year. Portsmouth leads the all-time series 66-57-8
Shenandoah Valley (Pennsylvania) vs. Mahanoy Area (Pennsylvania) – started 1899
The Damato-Szematowicz Gold Star trophy is up-for-grabs when these two meet. Mahanoy Area won the 11th straight in the series in 2023. That’s the longest win streak for either side.
Reading Memorial (Massachusetts) vs. Stoneham (Massachusetts) – started 1899
Stoneham rolled to a 39-0 win last Thanksgiving. The win moved the Spartans lead in the series to 65-19-4.
Troy (Ohio) vs. Piqua (Ohio) – started 1899
The Troy-Piqua series has been very close. Troy won last year’s game to take a 67-66-6 lead in the all-time series.
Carmi-White County (Illinois) vs. Fairfield Community (Illinois) – started 1899
Carmi-White County won last year’s game 42-26.
Private School Rivalries
Lawrenceville School (New Jersey) vs. The Hill School (Pennsylvania) – started 1887
There have now been 136 games played between the two rivals from different states. Lawrenceville won last year’s game 40-7 to close-out a 5-3 season.
William Penn (Pennsylvania) vs. Germantown Academy (Pennsylvania) – started 1887
Penn Charter has dominated this series after Germantown won the first two meetings, 20-6 (1887) and 37-8 (1888). The Quakers lead in the series is now 89-38-11. This year marks the 138th straight year that these two Philadelphia private schools have played on the gridiron.
The Haverford School (Pennsylvania) vs. Episcopal Academy (Pennsylvania) – started 1889
Episcopal won last year’s game 28-9, which means the Churchmen get the split-sweater.
No Longer Play
In Maine, the Battle for the Bridge between Thornton Academy and Biddleford ended after 94 matchups in 2014. The series between the two schools, only two miles apart, began in 1893. TA won 52 games against 35 wins for Biddeford with eight ties.
Hebron Academy and Kents Hill Academy in Maine also saw their long rivalry come to an end. The two started playing in 1894. In 2019, the two teams switched to 8-man football, but in 2020, Kents Hill discontinued football.
A large chunk of coal, known as The Rock, was what Pottsville (Pennsylvania) and Reading (Pennsylvania) played for from 1893 to 2015. Pottsville won the 94th and final meeting 34-14.
The border battle between Bradford (Pennsylvania) and Olean (New York) hasn’t been played since 2015. The series began in 1893 with 117 games. Bradford domined with 65 wins to 45 for Olean. There were seven ties.
In Illinois, Aurora East and Aurora West started playing in 1893. When the series ended in 2018, West had won 18 straight to lead the all-time series 66-48-12.
Chicago’s rivalry game between Hyde Park and Englewood Tech started in 1899 and ended in 2003 after 108 games. Hyde Park won 56 of those games with Englewood winning 46 with six ties.
In Michigan, Adrian and Monroe started 1896. However, through the years, the schools have move into different leagues, so the rivalry isn’t played on regular basis.
Editor’s note: please let us know if you have additional information on these historic matchups.
