[truebluefan89]

As the big game approaches us on this Saturday night, I just wanted to comment on this series away from predictions.

First of off this is the 100th meeting of these two programs, one of the oldest and greatest rivalries in the nation. Both programs can boast some of the winningest records in America; that is something you cannot garner overnight. And although these two are relatively "small schools" the programs are both steeped in tradition. Not many small school rivalries make ESPN.
-25 years ago-

This is a game that makes memories for all involved, I remember going to my very first PT vs.Mayfield game at the age of seven. 35 years later, I have only missed it once.

Although some of the gala surrounding the week leading upto the game has tapered off its history is still there. Both schools use to make a Mr. PT or Mr. Mayfield paper mache character and burn them in effegy on Thursday prior to the game. I remember a particular instance where a group of PT students posing as student newspaper reporters nearly pulled off a swipe of Mr.Tilghman right out of Mayfield high school!

The game ball was transferred on Thursday as well by two different means- both schools would either ride bikes or run to a halfway point to exchange it. Many other things such as painting all the downtown business windows and other traditions occur as the whole community gets involved

As a player, the game was epic, if you didn't go 110% all out for this one, you didn't have a pulse. Still today, you will see both teams laying ALL on the line during this one. You will see players going at it so hard you would think they are about to fight, yet there are never ejections because both understand that they go all-out until it is time to quit. I can still remember some of the adversaries that lined up across from me in that game more so than any other game I played in.

Through time in this series it has remained close to a 50/50 affair. Although their has been power swings for both schools such as Mayfield has had recently, history shows us that it always tends to equal out. You can throw records and rankings out on this one, as the emotion level of this one brings out the best in an athlete, and also there is often a "hero" that comes out of nowhere in this one.

There has been ten ties, a couple of disputed scores from the early 1900s, overtime wins, and even first downs denied by the thickness of a credit card, yes, a credit card. This one is never easy. Regardless if one team is great one year and the rare chance the other team is struggling, I would bet anything the coach of the better team would never look at this game as being easy.

One game a year, I curse the ground Mayfield lies on, but I also hold a great respect for their program.
This rivalry, although maybe not as glorious to the public as it once was, is what a real rivalry is all about- you will see boys becoming men in this one, and transforming into warriors on the field. Some people do not understand our rivalry, and my response is that you just didn't play in it, because if you had, you would understand. It is bigger than this years game, It is the one our children and grandchildren will play in, the ones I had privilege to play in, the ones our fathers played in, and their fathers.
It is that 100 years of tradition and ALL of the blood, sweat and tears that went with it.
I sure hope that their is a 200 year anniversary of this rivalry, that will signify all is right in the football world.

[Mayfieldsportsfan]

Good read ! :Thumbs:

[SprintMan]

thats old