Since the Fall of 1894, St Johnsbury Academy (SJA) and Lyndon Institute (LI) have played out their football rivalry making it one of the oldest in the country. This Saturday marks the 119th playing of what is known in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont as “The Game.”
In 2013, my first year at SJA, USA Today conducted an online poll to determine the greatest rivalry in the nation. SJA v LI easily won Vermont, New England, and Eastern regions, before finishing fourth in the nation.
The day before the game, there will be a pep rally, a parade down Main Street, a bonfire, and an alumni gathering all building anticipation for the game on Saturday. The respective towns adorn steeples with school colors at night, and fall leaves cast a warming glow upon surrounding hillsides and valleys each day. Student-athletes wonder how their performance will compare with legends of the past… Alumni often elevate their perception of their own (or their team’s) performance to legendary status… Rivalry football games are not just contests; they are steeped in tradition, and embody the spirit of competition and community, making them vital components of the football landscape.
Winning a rivalry game can solidify a team’s legacy and create lasting memories for players and fans alike. SJA was the victor in the very first game in 1894 and has won the last nine. We look forward to giving our best effort to make it 10 in a row.
Coach Rich Alercio is available to discuss coaching philosophy, X’s & O’s, or teach his O-Line “techniques in the trenches.” Contact Coach at richalercio@gmail.com and share http://www.olineskills.com with your colleagues and friends. Thanks for supporting this blog and joining our conversations, and as always, thanks for your time!
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