Welcome to Cherry Hill East Stadium in New Jersey, where 3,000 fans will gather for one of South Jersey’s most storied high school showdowns—the Battle for the Boot between the Cherry Hill West Lions and the Cherry Hill East Cougars. First played in 1969, this intense crosstown rivalry has delivered decades of passion, pride, and unforgettable Friday nights. This year’s clash will be featured in the 23rd season of the Great American Rivalry Series, celebrating over 100 of the nation’s greatest high school football rivalries. 

Cherry Hill East leads the all-time series 33–24 and brought the Boot home last season for the second year in a row with an impressive 49–7 victory. The rivalry’s history runs even deeper, with NFL quarterback Randall Cunningham once suiting up for East and former NFL linebacker Gary Cobb making his mark at West—adding legendary names to this local classic. 

Circle October 9th on your calendar as the 58th meeting unfolds. Will East build on last year’s momentum, or will West seize back the Boot and city bragging rights? 

We Know Friday Nights.

 

MVP

Taj Boaten
Cherry Hill East

SCHOLAR ATHLETES

Judah Niv

Cherry Hill East

Judah is an outstanding student-athlete at Cherry Hill East, where he has distinguished himself both in the classroom and on the football field. He has earned an impressive 4.0 GPA, along with a 6.0 weighted GPA, reflecting his strong academic commitment and work ethic. On the football field, Judah has established himself as one of the top kickers in the state of New Jersey. With aspirations of continuing his football career at the collegiate level, Judah is currently considering his options for college
Michael Henderson

Cherry Hill West

Mike is the senior captain for the Cherry Hill West football program and a key contributor on both offense and defense. He received more captain votes than any other player, which is a testament to the respect and trust he has earned from his teammates. Mike leads the team academically with a 5.43 GPA and is actively involved in his community and church. A true winner on and off the field, Mike exemplifies leadership, dedication, and pride in everything he does.

GAME SUMMARY

Rivalry bragging rights belong to Cherry Hill East once again. The Cougars earned a 48–14 victory over Cherry Hill West in the annual Battle for the Boot, retaining the rivalry trophy for the third consecutive year. Leading the way for East was #10 Taj Boaten, who earned MVP honors after delivering a standout performance on the ground. Boaten rushed for 161 yards and two touchdowns on just 12 carries, consistently finding running lanes and producing explosive plays to help fuel the Cougars' offense. East received contributions from several players throughout the night. Josh Greenberg added two rushing touchdowns, while Dillon Haddock recovered a blocked punt in the end zone for a score before adding a rushing touchdown of his own. Cherry Hill West also found ways to put points on the board, scoring twice against its cross-town rival. The Lions continued competing throughout the matchup, working to generate offense against an East team that built separation as the game progressed. Despite the final margin, West remained part of a rivalry contest that carries significance for both programs and the surrounding community. The annual showdown once again brought the Cherry Hill community together for a night of high school football and local pride. East's offensive production proved decisive, as the Cougars turned their opportunities into points and secured a 34-point victory.