RADNOR vs. LOWER MERION
“THE RIVALRY”
Radnor versus Lower Merion. This yearly football conflict is recognized by many as the longest consecutively played public scholastic football rivalry in the country. The first game was in 1897. After missing 1901 and 1905, for lack of players and illness respectively, Radnor and Lower Merion have met on the gridiron for the next 114 straight years.
For those outside the ten-mile or so bubble that encompasses these two Pennsylvania townships, invoking this football rivalry means very little. But for those within its modest ambit, it is woven into the fabric of their towns and the evolution of the rivalry over more than a century is in many ways a reflection of their changing communities. Fathers’ footsteps on the football field were followed by sons, grandsons and great grandsons. The rivalry found a willing foil in the two townships’ newspapers – The Suburban and Wayne Times and The Main Line Times -- that followed this game as front page news and trash talked each other as well as any Twitter patrons. For decades the teams met on Thanksgiving day and the game was a galvanizing community event.
However, evolution does not necessarily mean advancement. Many of the traditions that made this rivalry, and these towns, so special, have been lost to time. Over the rivalry’s duration, our students, news delivery, athletic conferences, interests, and mobility, among so many other things, have changed dramatically. It is unlikely that we will ever see the equal of the crowd of 10,000 fans that packed Villanova Stadium in 1930 to watch Radnor tie the unbeaten and untied Aces -- and then celebrate as if they had won. Modern scholastic conferences now require seasons to conclude in October. Newspapers merge or fade away. New students make new traditions and adapt the experience to their tastes, desires and enjoyment.
Yet Radnor and Lower Merion still meet on a field 100 yards long and struggle over a cowhide prolate spheroid, just like they have done for more than a hundred years. (Yes that is the shape). They block, tackle, run and throw. As always, the score is kept and a winner declared. There is a comfort in this century plus consistency. So sit back and enjoy our effort to document the history of this rivalry and its traditions, admittedly from a Radnor perspective.
As with the rest of the site, this is a work in progress, so keep visiting. Further, if you have any photos, memories, tickets, tags or programs we would love to hear them and/or scan them to preserve the history so please CONTACT us.
Radnor v. Lower Merion Game Programs
Enjoy this collection of Radnor v. Lower Merion programs running from 1925 to 1973 with the only programs missing from 1929 and 1953. A special thanks to the following for giving us access to their collections to put this incredible archive together: the Paolantonio Family, the Radnor Historical Society, the Lower Merion Historical Society, the Alumni Association of Radnor High School and the Radnor Township School District.
Radnor Traditions (Under Construction)
THE BONFIRE
THE BELL
THE R-STAR CLUB
STUDENT COUNSEL TAGS
TELEGRAMS