Arden Palmer, Senior
A rivalry between two cities has lasted 113 years, with one simple objective, winning the age old football game. Easton and Phillipsburg have a long history of football rivalry as the two river cities have been battling for the title since 1905. The two teams have developed traditions revolving around the main event, the Thanksgiving game.
Easton, on the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware, hosts a bonfire the day prior to the big game, where seniors of the highschool are invited to build the large mass of wood for the bonfire as well as camp out on Tuesday night to protect the fire. Phillipsburg, on the opposing side of the river, also participates in a large bonfire and sleep out. The two schools have each won a plethora of games against one another, Easton winning 66 and Phillipsburg 42, the teams tying a total of five times.
The Easton vs Phillipsburg game has such a large turnout each year that neither high school stadium is used as the stage for the game. Phisher Stadium of Lafayette College is used as hundreds of people flood the stand from both sides of the river on Thanksgiving morning.
This year’s game was predicted to end in a Phillipsburg victory, breaking the Easton streak of four years winning in a row. However, during the third quarter it was apparent that Phillipsburg would have to make several strategic plays in order to beat the scoreboard, which was 9-13, Easton pulling ahead. While Phillipsburg was able to fix some of their techniques as well as defense, the last quarter proved to be frustratingly close with a 13-16 score, Easton still winning.
The game ended in a brawl between schools on the field as Phillipsburg frustration grew. As Eason QuarterBack, Cole Transue, attempted to take a knee, he was tackled by Tommy Coury, a Phillipsburg player. Both teams rushed onto the field to aid their respective team, ending the game in a fist fight. Refs determined that this fell unto Phillipsburg players and determined the final score to be 13-16, Easton. This made the game a five streak win for Easton Area Highschool.
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