Hagerstown, schools play up North-South contest

November 04, 2008|By ANDREW SCHOTZ

HAGERSTOWN -- Hagerstown Mayor Robert E. Bruchey II wore his neutrality on his sleeves Monday as he talked up Friday's North-South high school football game.

He had on a specially created football jersey that had South Hagerstown High School's green on the front and shoulders, and North Hagerstown High School's red on the back and biceps.

"Go Hubs. Go Rebels," Bruchey said at a televised press conference at Hagerstown City Hall.

The jersey was the handiwork of Jen Kram, who works in the city's Community Affairs office.

Kram said it took her about four hours to separate the parts of the North and South jerseys, then combine them.

With Bruchey fashioning the latest in nonpartisanship, the coaches and principals from both schools took turns playing up the game, while remaining respectful toward their opponents.

The closest to trash talk was North High Coach Dan Cunningham looking with satisfaction at the plaque on the trophy.

"I do think we won five times," he said, eyeing the scores of the six games. He counted them. "Yes, we won five times."

South High Coach Greg Kellick predicted a different outcome.

"For one night, I think we're gonna try to be just a little bit better than you," he said.

Friday will be the seventh time the schools have faced off since the game became known as the Hagerstown Gridiron Championship Classic in 2002. North has won five of the previous six games.

Overall, North owns a 26-24 edge over South in the cross-city rivalry. One game ended in a tie.

Entering this year's game, South is 4-5 and North is 2-7, but school officials said previous wins and losses mean little when the two city schools try to beat each other.

"It's a hometown pride kind of a football game," Bruchey said.

Bruchey will award the trophy to the winning school to keep until the next game.

The city is providing buttons in school colors, medallions, posters and advertising, said Karen Giffin, the city's community affairs director.

One $250 scholarship will be awarded to each school in the name of that team's most valuable player.

The Hagerstown Kiwanis Club is sponsoring the North High scholarship and The First National Bank of Greencastle is sponsoring the one for South High.

If you go

What: Hagerstown Gridiron Championship Classic between North Hagerstown and South Hagerstown high schools

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Where: School Stadium at South Hagerstown High School

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