The Renewal of GLOUCESTER\’S GAME (Rams v Lions)….plus Videos of previous Contests

The excerpt below is from the

Renewal of Friendship

booklet which was released in 1993 when the annual Thanksgiving Day football game between Gloucester High and Gloucester Catholic was resumed.

Two and One-Half-Hours

The football teams from the two schools will meet tomorrow (Thursday) at the John Lynch Field at Gloucester High School, Rt. 130 and Market Street.

The Rams won last year\’s contest 30 to 14. Gloucester Catholic\’s junior running back Dashaun Harris finished that game with 222 yards on 23 carries and three total touchdowns in front of an estimated crowd of 400.

Thursday\’s Kickoff is 10:30AM. The Rams lead the series, 22-21-1.

BY G.J. FERGUSON

(CNBNewsnet)(Gloucester City NJ)(Nov. 27, 2019)–It has been nearly three decades since the last City-Series game was played in 1965. At times, it seems like it was only yesterday. But, sadly it wasn\’t. With the final whistle, on that sunny autumn day, the

City-Series passed into memory. Memories that have endured over the years. They have lived in the hearts and minds of those who remember the series and attached a special meaning to it.

Gloucester Catholic 1963 football team

It is with those in mind, that the idea for this program began. It started out as a history of the series, but a true history would require a book of several hundreds pages. What we have instead is more like a memoir of the City-Series. I hope that as you read the game stories and look at the old pictures, it will bring back the memories. Not just of the games themselves, but of old friends, old teammates, and a different time.

In the old industrial city on the

Delaware

, the year 1948 marked the beginning of the annual football games between Gloucester High and Gloucester Catholic. It was a time when semi-pro and town teams were still popular and attracting good-sized crowds. However, the largest and most loyal following was reserved for

high school football

. Across the country, in rural towns, in cities large and small, people filled the bleachers by the thousands to cheer their local school teams.

In some areas of the country, the games drew crowds of 25,000 to 30,000 or more. Closer to home, the

Collingswood

, and Camden High game used to attract 15,000 to 20,000 spectators. The City-Series games never approached numbers like these, but the crowds of 4,000 or more were common. For a small city of 15,000 people, it was a tremendous show of support.

If measured in length, it was not a long series. In

South Jersey

, many of the football series began in the 1920\’s or before. Vineland and

Millville

began their rivalry in the 1890\’s. In comparison, the City-Series was only played from 1948 to 1965. Nevertheless, for those eighteen years the people of Gloucester had a game that somehow, seemed to touch the very soul of their proud, old city.

In a

small town

like Gloucester, everybody seems to know everybody else. This familiarity made the games much more personal. Playing against a school located miles away; the opposing players were only numbers. In the City-Series games, that \”number\” had a name, and you better not forger it! If not brother against brother, surely there were cousins facing each other. Childhood friend’s kids from around the corner and down the street battling each other for 48 minutes. It was a neighborhood rivalry in the truest sense of the word:

Like the town it was played in, the games themselves were rough and tumble affairs. It was a hard-nosed and smash-mouth football. This was literally true before the facemask came into use. They were emotional games, played in a charged atmosphere before large, fanatical crowds.

Given all this, the remarkable thing is, the emotions never really got out of hand. Not on the field, nor in the stands. For the most part, the games were cleanly played. The hard hits came before the whistle, not after. This is not to say the games were perfect, they weren\’t. Nevertheless, the minor disputes that did occur were soon forgotten.

The very nature of the series made this possible. All of the ingredients that made this a fiercely contested game worked in reverse as soon ass it ended. It was high school football the way it was meant to be.

The first five years of the series belonged to Gloucester High. The Raiders (or \”Paiseleymen\”, as they were also called at the time) won the initial game in 1948 by a close score of 18-12. Matters only became worse for the Irish/Ramblers over the next four years! From 1949 to 1952, the Raiders completely dominated the series, winning by 21-2, 56-7, 19-6, and 25-7.

In 1953, Gloucester Catholic, tired of being a doormat for their city rival, recorded there first win of the series, winning by a score of 12-7. The Ramblers must have found the victory to their linking, as they set out on a winning streak of their own. The next four years found the Maroon and Gold on top by 20-13, 52-7, 26-0, and 12-7.

With the series tied at five games apiece, the Raiders pulled ahead by winning the 1958 game 18-7. However, there were to be no more long winning streaks in the series. The following year, the Rams triumphed over the newly named Lions by 19-0. 1960 was more of the same as a powerful Catholic Eleven rolled over the Lions 34-0 to take their first lead in the series.

A Preview of Gloucester Catholic & Gloucester High 2019 Gridiron Teams

Rams vs Lions Turkey Game

–Nov. 2009–With a few minutes left in the first half the Lions came back and tied the game at 14-14 but the Rams came back and scored again. As the half ended the score 22-14.

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RAMS V LIONS TURKEY GAME 2010-

What an exciting Thanksgiving Day football game this year between cross town rivalries Gloucester City High School and Gloucester Catholic High. Nearing the end of the fourth quarter Gloucester High was winning 27-20. With 19 seconds left Gloucester Catholic got a TD, making the score 27-26. Instead of kicking a field goal Catholic went for two but was stopped by the Lions defense.

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RAMS V LIONS TURKEY GAME Nov. 2011–

The video contains some snippets of plays from the first half of the game. Ben Boyer carried 42 times for 294 yards and scored four touchdowns to lead Gloucester City to a 34-14 victory over Gloucester Catholic yesterday in Gloucester City. Boyer finished the season with 1,841 rushing yards, 168 shy of the school-record 2,009 yards accumulated by Mike Blankenship in 2001. Boyer had touchdown runs of 28, 73, 3 and 8 yards for Gloucester City (5-5). With the victory, Gloucester City tied the all-time Thanksgiving Week series between the two schools at 18-18 (there has been one tie). Elliott McCummings had two touchdown runs of 6 and 80 yards for Gloucester Catholic (3-7). Score Lions 34 Rams 14

2006 Turkey Day Football: Gloucester City HS vs Gloucester Catholic HS

Originally Published November 2006

By LEA KOROS

Special to ClearysNotebook

GLOUCESTER CITY NJ —With the Lions / Rams game less then a week away the talk has begun. The “ELECTION” is over and the residents and alumni have started the annual rite only a local GHS or GCHS graduate can appreciate. This talk is for the locals not the wannabes, the talk is not held on the bus ride from Deptford or

Washington Twp, but held at the Memorial A.A. church. I’ve heard the sermons at the bright orange church about mixed marriages. Lately the sermon preached why can’t we forgive and accept these marriages. How can a Lion marry a Ram? How can they send their children to that place on Cumberland St?

Yes, it has begun. Wednesday night the hardworking, church going, people of Gloucester will head to a local establishment and dissect the upcoming Turkey Day game. They will argue that no game on Turkey Day was better then the 1971 Delsea game. Or the Froggy Rebstock catch a few years later against Delsea. Anyway they look at it some old-timer will say it was the “Shot heard round the world”, forgetting they are talking about

football

and not the 1971 boys basketball.

Yes, it is Turkey Day. The two teams will prepare differently, the Rams will have their moms make a pre-game team breakfast, while the Lions players will go to their own breakfast at the “Orange Church”. The church better known as Coffee Corner at Broadway and Market St. has a pew and will be occupied Mr. Harris, Ken Settar, Steve Cowgill, and Ma Hagan the few survivors of Wednesday evening. The Preacher Pop Cowgill will hand out communion a Breakfast sandwich to each Lion. After these players are blessed, they will head over with the Pride of the City on their shirts.

It is game time. Lions Coach Harris has a team, which was a play, or two from the playoffs and the team wants to end the season with a .500 record while the Rams underachieved and missed out on the playoffs.

On offense, the Rams will rely on the passing of Brooklawn’s Ray Mc Kenney. Mc Kenney who has struggled at times this season will look to get the ball to City teammates Mike Calzonetti (child of a Lion/Ram marriage) and George Spingler. If Mc Kenney is on his game, it will be a long day for the Lions.

The Lions have been hurt to many times by the pass so look for Coach Harris to give

Bryan Collins some extra help in the deep patterns. The Rams backfield has struggled with its running game. Locals

Ryan Alcott and RB Ed Saunders have carried the load and will have another difficult time establishing a running game against the Lions strong

defensive line

On offense, the Lions have suffered in the passing game. With the exception the short pass to WR Liam James or TE Mike Becker, the Lions have not put together any consistency in the passing game. The Lions will provide a running game with TB Brandon Mc Elwee and the punishment of FB Josh Porter. Mc Elwee is coming off a strong game against Audubon where he rushed for 250 yards and scored 3 TDs. Both of these players will provide the majority of the Lions “O”.

The game will come down to Mc Kenney or backup quarterback Calzonetti’s ability to work the ball down field against a soft Lions secondary. The Rams will not be able to move the ball on the ground so look for an aerial attack from the Rams. The Rams will work away from the Lions DB Liam James and work more towards DB Brian Collins with help from FS Brandon Mc Elwee

The Lions will work the inside game and will win the battled of the line. Behind Mike Marchionne, the Lions will hammer a running game against the Rams, which has not been able finish off tackles. A few missed tackles and the Rams will be in trouble. Nevertheless, the game will come down to the pass. Who can pass, will win the game? The Lions have a lot of pride and will make all necessary adjustments to win this event but the locals who went astray and betrayed our great city, Alcott, Spingler, Mike Gartland, Mc Kenney, Harry Amwake and Calzonetti will provide enough offense and defense to beat the Lions.

My prediction……..Rams 26 Lions 14

GHS & GCHS Football Teams to Honor Veterans at Thanksgiving Football Game

GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (Nov. 15, 2019)– Please spread the word to any veteran or active military who attended GCHS or Gloucester High. Last year was really special honoring these brave men and women and we

hope to continue to grow the tradition. Gloucester Catholic alumnus can email their info to RMurphy@gchsrams.org

GLOUCESTER HIGH BEATS GLOUCESTER

CATHOLIC BY SCORE OF 18-12

GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ–(The Year 1948) Gloucester City High School captured its first victory of the current season last Friday evening at the Charles St. Stadium when they took Gloucester Catholic into camp by an 18 to 12 count.

A crowd of about 3500 looked on as the visitors broke a 12-12 deadlock with a third-period touchdown. The Catholic kickoff was returned to the Gloucester 36. Sooy picked up one yard. City High was penalized five yards for offside. Harris picked up two yards. After a pass had fallen incomplete, Weichman punted to the Catholic 40. McQuillan gained five, Phelps three, and Gibison three for a first down on the Gloucester 49.

McQuillan was thrown for a three-yard loss by Whitmore, and after two incomplete passes, O’Neill punted to the Gloucester 33.

Continue reading →

1971 Gloucester Catholic HS Football Team Honored

source GCHS Press Release

GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (October 2012)–Gloucester Catholic’s 1971 unbeaten, untied football team was honored on Saturday, October 20, 2012, during a reunion of team members at Gloucester Catholic High School. Team players, coaches, and staff were honored prior to the Rams’ 10:30 a.m. homecoming game against Woodstown in a special ceremony.

Guided by former coach Bob McQuillan, the 1971 Rams posted a 9-0 overall record, led by All-South Jersey standouts Jack Long and Steve Rotella, along with quarterback Steve Johnson. They capped a spectacular season with a 34-29 victory over Middle Township team in November 1971.

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Joe Murphy, Alumnus, Athlete, Coach, Teacher and Friend of Gloucester Catholic

By GUS OSTRUM

GCHS Director of Advancement

Ramblings Spring 2012 edition

GLOUCESTER CITY NJ (June 2012) –Joe Murphy has served on both sides of the fence at Gloucester Catholic, and has earned a reputation as a beloved figure within the community as a former alumnus and athlete, coach, teacher, and friend.Two plays later, Grant found himself circling the flank for the thirty-first point.

“Coach Murphy,” a 1954 graduate, began his long affiliation with GCHS as. The love affair with the school has never stopped, even after some 62 years. freshman student entering classes in the Fall of 1951. The love affair with the school has never stopped, even after some 62 years.

One key life lesson Joe has never forgotten is the strong bond between a teacher (coach) and a student and the influence it has on a young person’s life.

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Gloucester City High School Receives National Recognition

Press Release

This week Gloucester City High School received national recognition for their quality performances in and out of the classroom.

U.S. News & World Report, in collaboration with School Evaluation Services, a K-12 education and data research and analysis business, announced the top performing high schools in the entire nation.

The company provides parents with an educational data report.

This report analyzed academic and enrollment data from more than 21,000 public high schools in the United States to find the very best high schools.

These top schools were placed into gold, silver, bronze, or honorable mention categories.

Gloucester City High School received a bronze commendation for their outstanding services to the children and community.

They were only one of four high schools recognized in Camden County, and one of 41 high schools throughout the entire state to receive the recognition.

GHS Principal, Dr. Jack Don, commended his staff for their hard work and leadership, both in and out of the classroom.

Superintendent Paul Spaventa said the high school administrative team was one of the finest in the area.

\”Gloucester City High School has outstanding students, and is an asset to the community. The school is a place where children come prepared to learn and train to be the leaders of tomorrow,\” Spaventa said.

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TWO AND ONE-HALF HOURS

By CNB Sports

GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (November 25, 2008) – How can two and a half hours have such a profound impact on everyone’s lives? For Lions and Rams fans alike, nothing compares to the Thanksgiving game. This year, unlike many in the past, brings together many local players from both the GCHS and GHS teams for the last time.

Rams players such as Mike Gartland, Mike Rafferty, George Spingler, Ryan Alcott, and Harry Amwake will face off against Lions seniors and lifelong friends Ian Harter, Robert Filer, Kyle Stewart, Brett Darrow, John Alberta, Frank Heitman, and many others. These players are not just teammates but neighbors and friends, coming together for one final match.

In recent years, this game felt more like the Lions competing against out-of-towners in a City Series game. This Thursday morning, most of these boys will wake up as varsity football players for the last time, marking the end of a football journey that began innocently enough at the age of five on Johnson Boulevard.

These boys not only played as Mustangs against other towns but also participated in Little League Baseball and CPBL Basketball together. Throughout grammar school, these players formed bonds in various ways. As they started sports at such a young age, the end of their football careers seemed a distant thought. Parents, too, often failed to recognize the significance of their sons’ final game.

Walking off the home field on Thursday will be a bittersweet experience. GCHS players from out of town cannot truly appreciate the depth of this game. These local friends and former Little League and football All-Stars will never meet again in such an intense battle, yet they will leave as best friends. They will hit each other hard throughout the day, engaging in conversations on the field that won’t be friendly banter. However, each player will feel the end differently.

Along with the desire for victory comes the realization that a career and a way of life have come to an end. Teary-eyed players will meet in the end zone after the game, sharing hugs for the final time. These boys have battled together for their school while providing their parents and friends with something truly special to celebrate.

The moments of innocence and high school life seem to pass so quickly, and as each player walks through the gauntlet of proud parents, witnessing the tears in their moms’ and dads’ eyes, it will be hard to forget their last time leaving the field.

In the end, the score doesn’t really matter; it is the friendships that count. Many parents have become friends because their sons’ sports brought together once-strangers. Boys attended each other’s birthday parties as they grew up.

In the years to come, it will be enjoyable to read about how your school is doing and to return to cheer on the team. Scrapbooks may eventually be set aside, but what will remain with parents and players is that last hug.

It’s remarkable how two and a half hours spent on the field during Thanksgiving can make everyone realize that, regardless of challenges like the economy or gas prices, we have something to be truly thankful for: family and friends.

1993: Renewal of Friendship (introduction)

Note: A series of articles about the history of the Gloucester Catholic vs. Gloucester High football games was published in a booklet released in 1993 entitled “The Renewal of Friendship”. This remarkable history of the series was put together by members of the Gloucester High Alumni Association.

The Lions vs. Rams Thanksgiving Classic Continues

BY Bruce Darrow/CNBNews

Gloucester City, NJ (November 21, 2007)—This Thursday’s Thanksgiving Day game between Gloucester Catholic and Gloucester High will renew an old rivalry that began almost 60 years ago, in 1948, on the field at the Charles Street Stadium. Although that stadium may be gone, the tradition lives on. The game was briefly stopped for a period but was renewed again in 1993.

There is an ongoing debate within the City of Gloucester over whether the Rams recruit players from surrounding areas, which many believe gives them an unfair advantage. However, this year, that advantage doesn’t seem to be as significant.

Continue reading →

CLEARY’S NOTEBOOK NEWS SPORTS

Turkey Day Football: Gloucester City High School vs Gloucester Catholic High School

NOTE: For decades, the annual Turkey Day football games between Gloucester Catholic and Gloucester High drew thousands of enthusiastic fans, filling the stands with cheers and excitement in the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s. In those early days, the thrilling clashes unfolded at the Charles Street stadium. With the construction of a new high school in the 1960s, the spirited rivalry shifted to that location.

What made these games such a spectacular event was the local pride displayed by the players from both schools. Fast forward to today, and that local flavor has faded, as the Gloucester Catholic team now boasts an array of players predominantly from outside the city. Although the game still gives the winner bragging rights, it doesn’t draw the number of fans that it once did. The following articles capture the history and spirit of this iconic event, as published in the Gloucester City News and Cleary’s Notebook News on the specified dates.

By LEA KOROS

Special to CNBNews

GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (November 2006) – With just a week to go until the highly anticipated Lions/Rams game, excitement is building! The “ELECTION” has wrapped up, and our incredible community of residents and alumni is diving into the cherished tradition that only those connected to GHS or GCHS can truly understand. There’s a buzz in the air meant for locals—it’s not the kind of chatter you’d hear on a bus from Deptford or Washington Township. No, this energy is alive at the Memorial A.A. church. I’ve sat in on those lively sermons, including one I recall about mixed marriages. Recently, the discussion turned to the question that ignites spirited debate: How can a Lion possibly marry a Ram? And how could they dare to send their kids to that school on Cumberland St.?