As someone who is very proud of my hometown area in eastern Pennsylvania and the Thanksgiving Day rivalry between Easton (Pennsylvania) and Phillipsburg (New Jersey), it warmed my heart to see that on Thursday, one week after their 113th meeting, the two schools reconvened to finish what wasn’t finished on Turkey Day — a handshake.
On Thanksgiving at Lafayette College’s Fisher Field, the heated-rivals never shook hands after a fight broke-out late in the game. Officials ran-off the final seconds of the clock without a final play being run and there was no handshake after Easton’s 16-13 victory.
The importance of this rivalry goes way beyond the field, which is evidenced by the fact that one week later, the two schools showed-up at Fisher Field to shake hands.
As you can see from the Twitter accounts from both sides, doing things the right way transcends everything.
@EastonFootball and @LinersFootball worked together this past week to make sure last week's football game ended how it was supposed to. The game is bigger than any one player, coach, administrator; it belongs to our greater communities. We will move on stronger together. pic.twitter.com/RI2BCaAs8h
— Easton Athletics (@GoRedRovers) December 5, 2019
Thanks to BOTH Pburg and Easton coaches AND our athletes today, for recognizing the critical importance of learning from mistakes, setting a positive example and preserving what we hold dear…THIS is the way the most storied high school rivalry game in the country should end. . pic.twitter.com/CoPryOUfxP
— PHSPrincipal Scanlon (@statelinerphs) December 5, 2019
Our communities, school districts & athletic departments thank @LafCol for allowing us to meet, continue our storied history, & honor our tradition. One week removed, the football teams shook hands to properly end the 113th contest of the country’s greatest Turkey Day Rivalry. pic.twitter.com/0TWg0bwdXD
— Easton Area SD (@EastonAreaSD) December 5, 2019
