More than a Homecoming Game

By Jack Hoblitzel Staff Writer

n November 1901, a group of boys from Woodberry Forest School, a small school near Charlottesville, Virginia, traveled to Alexandria, Virginia to take on Episcopal High School(here after known as the Goons). The coachless Tigers were beaten badly by the more disciplined Episcopal team that afternoon. However, little did they know that that game would be the beginning of what would become the longest continuous running high school football rivalry in the United States.

On November 9, a group of boys from Woodberry again met the Goons, this time on their own field, in what was the 96th meeting of the two teams. Over the years, this game has evolved into something more than just a mere football game. Alumni from all over return to cheer on their team(I traveled from Connecticut). The game has come to mean the difference between a successful and an unsuccessful season.

Gameday festivities aren't confined to the game itself. The night before the game, the student body parades, with lit torches, out into a field where a huge bonfire is lit and a pep rally takes place. Gameday begins with the cheerleaders from both schools trying to out do each other with their entrances. In my years at Woodberry, I have watched our cheerleaders enter on helicopters and in police cars, dressed in jail coveralls; while the EHS cheerleaders, lacking any originality or creativity, always wear tux's and enter on motorcycles. The cheerleaders are preceded by the student body, which charges down to the field in a scene reminiscent of rebel charges long ago.

Since this is supposed to be a sports article, I guess I should mention something about the game. This year's game was close all day. The Goons jumped out to a 21-7 lead at half-time, scoring off of several Tiger fumbles. In the second half, the Tigers fought back and midway through the fourth quarter took a 27-21 lead. 27-21? You can probably already see what the outcome would be. With a few minutes left in the game, the Goons somehow managed to score just one more time, but that was enough to give them a 28-27 victory. Despite the final score, Woodberry played well, led by star quarterback Tim Olmstead. If you haven't heard of him, you probably will. He is one of the top college prospects in the country this year, and is being recruited by the likes of Florida and Tennessee. Olmsteasd was only a single part of a team that was strong on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. On this day, unfortunatley, the breaks went the other way and the Goons won, even though they were the weaker team.

Woodberry-EHS is more than just a high school homecoming game. It is a fierce rivalry that has raged on unabated for 96 years. People come from all over the country to see the game and renew old friendships. There are good times and wild parties. Then it is over, gone as quickly as it came. Everyone goes back to the real world, and waits impatiently for number 97.