Vote for the Best Rivalry in the North
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Baltimore, Md.
Baltimore, Md.
History
At the end of every practice, Poly players turn to face their rival school to the East and shout, "Beat City." The rivalry, which began in 1889, is believed to be the second-longest continual public school rivalry in the country. Poly and City met on Thanksgiving Day until 1993, when the game was moved to the final Saturday of the regular season.
2012 Result
Baltimore City20
Baltimore Poly14
Dover, Del.
Camden, Del.
History
This heated rivalry known as "The Civil War" has been fairly balanced over the years. The annual matchup between crosstown rivals was suspended for a period around 1950 due to fights associated with the game.
2012 Result
Caesar Rodney24
Dover21
Bronx, N.Y.
New York, N.Y.
History
The oldest rivalry in the state, this matchup dates back to 1893. The first game was played in the dark and ended in a tie. The two schools go head-to-head in an annual Turkey Bowl.
2012 Result
Xavier38
Fordham Prep 31
Norwich, Conn.
New London, Conn.
History
This rivalry is so popular it's the subject of Brian Girasoli's book entitled "The Norwich Free Academy v. New London Football Rivalry". Widely regarded as the oldest high school football rivalry in the nation, Norwich Free and New London have been doing battle since 1875. This matchup has all the drama that makes heated rivalries so intriguing, from vandalism by students to alleged biased officiating. In 1951, a huge brawl put the heated rivalry on ice for two years before it resumed.
2012 Result
Norwich Free Academy28
New London7
Parkersburg, W.Va.
Parkersburg, W.Va.
History
This crosstown rivalry dates back to 1967 and is considered by many to be the most heated rivalry in the state. Parkersburg leads the all-time series 33-13.
2012 Result
Parkersburg South28
Parkersburg18
Highstown, N.J.
Blairstown, N.J.
History
These two teams have met every year since 1903, with the exception of one, due to a polio outbreak. The rivalry was so heated that in 1935 the headmasters of the two schools formed what is known as "The Peddie-Blair Agreement", which says, among other things, that no goal posts can be torn down and the losing team's fans must remain in the stands and sing their school song after the winning team has already left the field.
2012 Result
Blair Academy41
Peddie School21
Derry, N.H.
Londonderry, N.H.
History
The annual meeting between these two schools serves as the finale to a two-day competition in eight sports for the Mack Plaque. Pinkerton has won the Mack Plaque 11 straight years.
2012 Result
Pinkerton41
Londonderry0
Washington, DC
Washington, DC
History
This rivalry, which is considered the oldest between two Catholic schools, dates back to 1889 and was traditionally played on Thanksgiving.
2012 Result
Gonzaga35
St. John's College28
St. Johnsbury, Vt.
Lyndon Center, Vt.
History
These teams have met 107 times since 1894 in a matchup known simply as The Game. St. Johnsbury holds a 58-43-6 advantage in the series.
2012 Result
St. Johnsbury Academy20
Lyndon Institute6
Saco, Maine
Biddeford, Maine
History
Separated by a bridge connecting their respective towns, the annual Thornton-Biddeford game is aptly known as the Battle of the Bridge. During the week of the game, cheerleaders from each school decorate their end of the bridge with school colors. Per tradition, the losing coach presents the "Battle of the Bridge" trophy to the winning school the next week. Thornton owns an all-time record of 55-40-9.
2012 Result
Thornton Academy42
Biddeford14
Wellesley Hills, Mass.
Needham, Mass.
History
The Wellesley, Needham rivalry isn't as old as Thanksgiving, but it's not too far off. The teams have only missed seven games (four because of World War I) since kicking off the Thanksgiving tradition with a 4-0 Wellesley win in 1882. Wellesley owns a 59-57-9 all-time edge, but Needham has won two straight going into this year.
2012 Result
Needham39
Wellesley21
West Warick, R.I.
Coventry, R.I.
History
The schools are less than eight miles apart, and the rivalry has upheld every Thanksgiving Day. This year marks the 51st matchup of the series, which West Warwick dominates with 39 victories. Coventry last added to its nine wins in 2004.
2012 Result
West Warwick28
Coventry8
Philadelphia, Pa.
Fort Washington, Pa.
History
This is the nation's longest uninterrupted rivalry among prep schools in high school football history. The annual game dates back to 1887 and is currently the main event in a daylong schedule of athletic events that also includes soccer, cross country and others. For each win, the school gets one point. When all the events are finished, the school with the most points wins the Competition Cup.
2012 Result
William Penn Charter35
Germantown Academy7