“GMC champs sounds good...real good,” said a Gatorade-soaked coach Jason Krause after the win. “It’s been a long time for this community and this program, but we found a way to put it all together.”
Middletown Mayor Larry Mulligan said the Middies have energized the city with their undefeated season. “And to do it against Princeton,” he added.
Princeton has long been Middletown’s arch-nemesis on the gridiron, ruining many chances at perfection over the years. And for much of Friday’s nail-biter, the 3-7 Vikings looked as if they had their sights set on playing spoiler yet again.
Princeton lead 7-6 after the first quarter, and took a 21-18 lead deep into the third quarter before the Middies rallied.
“Princeton is always a tough game,” said Tim Wright, a 1977 MHS graduate. “It’s like Ohio State and Michigan. They just want to take us out.”
As time expired, players and cheering fans stormed the field. Gray and purple T-shirts that read “Congratulations Middies on a 10-0 season” were handed out to the players and coaches.
“This means everything,” said senior linebacker Kyle Schwarber. “Winning the GMC is a great way to end the regular season. We get to cherish this for one night and then it’s back to work.”
The Middies will host a first-round playoff game at Barnitz next Saturday. Pete Snow, a 1957 MHS graduate and standout Middies linebacker, said he wants to see the Middies go 11-0 and then farther.
“These guys will have something that will live forever,” Snow said of finishing 10-0. “It’s something they will talk about for years to come.”
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