The rivalry between Proctor and Rome Free Academy is one of the longest rivalries in the nation, dating back to 1891. This weekend’s game closed out the 126th meeting Saturday afternoon at D’Alessandro Stadium. This annual battle between the Raiders of Proctor High School and the Black Knights of Rome Free Academy High School is an outstanding game taken place in up state New York and one of the longest and best rivalries in the country. There is and always will be a keen, sometimes bitter rivalry between the towns of Rome and Utica when it comes to football. To many, on both sides, this is THE game of the year, and the rest of schedule is secondary in importance. As of late, the rivalry has been going back and forth with Proctor winning the 2016 matchup, and Rome Free winning the two previous matchups. Both teams came into the game with a 0-1 record. The teams met again at Memorial Stadium with cross town bragging rights at stake.

MVP

Logan Wilcox

Proctor

SCHOLAR ATHLETES

Tristan Hunzinger

Rome Free Academy

Tristan holds a 4.0 GPA and has been named an AP scholar after receiving passing scores on all his AP exams. He is the National Honor Society President, FBLA treasurer, and President of the Black “R” varsity athlete club. Aside from being a captain and third year starting quarterback of the varsity football team, Tristan is a two-year captain and starting guard for the basketball team. He was recognized as second-team all-section class AA2 in his junior year of football and 2nd team all-league basketball. Tristan holds the RFA most passing TD in a season. Tristan plans to continue his academic career in college and study physical therapy. He also hopes to play either football or basketball in college.

Eric Gohringer

Proctor

Eric is a two-year letterman on the varsity football team as well as a three-year varsity baseball player. He was awarded all-league last year for football and is an overall great student-athlete.

HALL OF FAME

Artie Newman

Rome Free Academy

Rome Free Academy football has been a part of Artie’s life since he can remember. Known as the RFA “ball boy” Newman has been a volunteer with the high school team for about 49 years. Newman is still providing extra game balls and giving away his “root beer” candies to visiting team members at the sidelines. He is sure to shake the hands of all the coaches and members of the opposing team, letting them know what a pleasure it was to work with them. Artie has a passion for RFA football that is contagious on the sidelines. His timeless love of the game reminds us all our life long fans and tradition and pushes us forward as a program to put our best effort forward every game for our community.

Paul Filleti

Proctor

Coach Filletti played against RFA as a member of two Proctor high school football teams. He started at offensive and defensive tackle in the fall of 1982. He was a 1984 graduate of Proctor who went on to become a Police Officer for the Utica Police Department. In 1987, Coach Filletti started coaching football for Proctor high school. He has coaches in every Proctor/RFA rivalry game for the past 30 years. He is a great coach and a tireless working giving his time and knowledge to every Proctor football player for the past 30 years.

GAME SUMMARY

Scoring on each of its first seven possessions, Proctor got on top early and never looked back in Saturday’s 48-7 blowout win over Rome Free Academy. Proctor quarterback Logan Wilcox accounted for three of Proctor’s scores, running for two and throwing for one touchdown. Wilcox scored on touchdown runs of 1-yard and 11-yard and connected with Jasyn Bonner for a 32-yard touchdown as his way to Most Valuable Player honors.