Another Chapter: L.I v SJA

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Created on Tuesday, 15 October 2013 19:38

Written by Adam Donnelly

LYNDON- For 118 years the Hilltoppers of St. Johnsbury Academy and the Vikings of Lyndon Institute have taken to the football field to do battle. And now they are now considered one of the most historic and best high school football rivalries in the country.Way back in 1894 St. Johnsbury Academy and Lyndon Institute took to the field together for the first time. The Hilltoppers sent out their second team to go against Lyndon Institute's first team who were taking the field for the first time against an opponent. After St. Johnsbury took the first game 28-0, facing each other has been a tradition that the schools have continued ever since.

 Coined "The Game", there have been 108 match-ups between the two schools played over the past 118 years. St. Johnsbury Academy leads the match-up with a 59-43-6 record all time vs Lyndon Institute. Last year the Hilltoppers thrashed the Vikings 20-6 to add to their all-time winning record.

If this year were to be anything like last year this would be another dominate win for the St. Johnsbury Hilltopers. But with Lyndon Institute off to a tremendous 6-1 start, and St. Johnsbury reeling with a 3-4 record, it is bound to be a more even match-up this time around.

With such a historic game coming up both Dan Nolan the Vikings head coach, and new head coach Rich Alercio of the Hilltoppers do not feel any added pressure. "I expect a typical, SJA-LI battle. Hard fought, hard hitting, and very close," said Nolan. "There is no more pressure than for any other games."

Alercio who is experiencing his first LI v SJA match-up is approaching this game like any other game. "LI is a very good team. Our expectations in this game are no different than any other game. Play is close with a chance to win in the 4th [quarter]," said Alercio.

Despite all the hype, anticipation, pep rallies, and festivities during the week prior to the game both coaches are staying focused on the task at hand. "We are working hard to stay focused on the game itself," Alercio said.

On the other side of the field Nolan said that he "hope(s) that the players approach every week as though it is a one game season. Our attitude is that the most important game we will play is the next one.

The game will be played this Saturday, October, 19th at 1pm at Robert K. Lewis Field on the campus of Lyndon Institute.