It was a cold and rainy night at the Francis DeSales Stadium, host to the 2009 Marine Corps Sponsored Great American Rivalry Series game. The parking lot was full of tents and grills smoking the air with the aroma of sausages and tailgate. Hundreds of fans anxiously awaited the Rivalry Series game between St. Francis DeSales and Bishop Watterson. Even with the adverse weather conditions, a crowd of 6000+ packed the stands, full of pride and enthusiasm, to cheer their team to a victory. The rivalry dates back to 1962 with Watterson leading the series. This year however, St. Francis DeSales took the field determined to put a dent in that Watterson lead.

MVP

Nick Gentile
Bishop Watterson

SCHOLAR ATHLETES

Adam Griffin

Bishop Watterson

DeSale’s winner is running back/defensive back Adam Griffin. The son of NFL great Archie Griffin and Bonita Griffin, Adam has a 3.51 GPA and has also lettered in basketball and track.
Marc Elberson

St. Francis DeSales

Watterson’s scholarship winner is senior Marc Elberson, son of Marc and Trudi Elberson. A wide receiver and free safety, Marc is active on the Senior Leadership Team and Student Council, is a member of the National Honor Society, and serves as a peer tutor. He has a GPA of 4.025.

HALL OF FAME

Matt Stewart

Bishop Watterson

Sam Jacobs

St. Francis DeSales

GAME SUMMARY

The game got off to a rocky start, indicating that a good defense would win the game. This was a typical hard-nose, northern cold football match-up. Watterson was leading at halftime 10-7 and both teams exited the field hoping to turn things around during the second half. Following the meaningful Hall of Fame presentations, the Marines participated in a side-line interview with the local television ONNtv station and a halftime interview with 1590 Catholic Radio, set up and coordinated by iHigh Staff. After a few halftime adjustments, St. Francis came out and took the lead in the second half and never looked back. The stern defense rose to the challenge, making big play after big play. Linebacker Chi Chi Ariguzo's spectacular interception put an end to what could have been a game-tying/game winning drive. St. Frances went on to win their first Great American Rivalry Game, 17-10. This Great American Rivalry game was a classic, with the underdog coming out on the winning side.

GAME GALLERY