One of the oldest rivalries in the state of Alabama, it’s the Battle of the Cannon between the McGill- Toolen Yellow Jackets and the Murphy Panthers. The rivalry dates back to 1935 when Murphy won the first ever meeting between the two teams. Murphy holds the advantage in the series, 48-36-1. The tradition is for the winner to paint the Midtown cannon at city hall with the school’s colors following the game.

MVP

Brian Hill

McGill-Toolen

SCHOLAR ATHLETES

Anton Noble

McGill-Toolen

Noble is a four-year letterman for the Panthers varsity football and baseball team.

Chase Mahler

Murphy

Chase is a four -year letterman on the Yellow Jackets’ varsity football and soccer team. Mahler was selected to the All-Coastal Alabama team as a punter in 2106. He is also a member of the National Honor Society.

HALL OF FAME

Jon Repoli

McGill-Toolen

Coach Repoll played in the McGill-Murphy rivalry from 1984-1987. He was part of Mc-Gill Toolen’s first-ever regional championship team in 1987 that defeated Murphy 17-7. After high school, Coach Repoll entered the United States Army. After the Army, Coach Repoll returned to his Alma Mater to teach and coach football. He currently serves as Assistant Principal of Student Activities at McGill-Toolen Catholic High School. His legacy continues, as he has two sons currently playing in the football for the Jackets. Coach Repoll has been directly involved with the McGill-Murphy rivalry as a player, coach, and administrator for over 30 years.

Mardye McDole

Murphy

GAME SUMMARY

No. 5 McGill-Toolen defeated long time rival Murphy 21-14 in Friday’s game. McGill (3-0, 2-0) took advantage of a Murphy (1-2, 1-2) fumble deep in Yellow Jacket territory, capped by a 9- yard pass from quarterback Sheldon Layman to Great American Rivalry Series Most Valuable Player, Bryan Hill. Hill rushed for 121 yards on 21 carries, including two touchdowns (1 rushing, 1 receiving) as the Yellow Jackets earned the right to cover the cannon in their school color.