GARDINER — Whether you call it Cony-Gardiner or Gardiner-Cony, there is no denying the annual football game between the rival high schools is one of Central Maine’s greatest traditions.
Since the first game was played in 1892, countless players have donned red-and-white or black-and-orange jerseys looking to make their mark in local lore.
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In that sense, Friday night’s contest is like any other in the storied rivalry — a unique, lively atmosphere far beyond any ‘regular season’ game.
“It’s unbelievable. It’s a different type of game whether you go onto Alumni to play Gardiner or you go down to their field,” Cony senior Tayler Carrier, who is getting ready to play in his fourth Cony-Gardiner game, said. “When it comes down to it, both of us could be undefeated or both of us could have zero wins and it’s going to be a huge game no matter what. It’s something I look forward to every year and it’s an awesome game to play in.”
A big part of the atmosphere and fan turnout is a result of the legacy each generation leaves behind. The game itself is as much about football as it is about family.
Jake Truman — like so many who play in this game — is a second-generation Gardiner football player whose father competed for the Tigers in the early 1980s during Gardiner’s most successful decade against Cony.
“It just makes it that much better if we win,” Truman said of the legacy of the game. “It makes me want to work harder this week and even the whole season just preparing for this last game of the season.
“It would just be great to win. It’s a great way to cap off the season.”
For players like Truman and Carrier, the preparation for Friday night is nothing new as they have both played in the contest a number of times before. For others, however, getting ready for the game will be a whole new experience.
Mitchell Caron was on the defensive side for the Rams in last year’s 76-14 Cony victory, but this year’s contest will bring added pressure now that he is the team’s starting quarterback.
“I have more of a leading role this year and people are going to be targeting me,” Caron said, noting he expects to have the same bullseye on his back that former QB Ben Lucas had the past few seasons. “They’re going to be yelling my name so it’s going to be a little different, but I think I can handle it.”
Then there are players like Elias Younes, a senior captain and lineman with the Rams who will be getting his first taste of the rivalry as a starter.
“This is going to be my first year playing in the game but just being around it — it’s an insane feeling,” Younes said. “You just get pumped up walking in and you see everyone, they’re all cheering and it’s going to remind me of the state game.”
Then there are players like Gardiner senior running back/cornerback Treavon Horton, a Texas native who played in his first Cony-Gardiner game last season.
“The first time I came out it was really intense,” Horton said.
It will be a similar experience for Cony junior linebacker Max Storey, although the first-year Ram does have experience playing in front of large crowds.
A native of Maine, Storey spent the first two years of his high school career playing football at Landstown High School in Virginia Beach, Va.
“Football is a very big thing in the South as well as the North,” Storey said. “It’s a little tougher but there’s nothing like New England football.
“…I’m very excited for the game and kind of nervous as well.”
For all the different perspectives and personalities, players from Cony and Gardiner will forever be linked by this great rivalry.
The country has drastically changed since 1892 and so has the game of football itself, but the tradition of Cony-Gardiner remains intact.
“It’s just been around forever,” Gardiner senior captain Andrew Doody Veilleux said. “We definitely appreciate it.”
Evan Crawley — 621-5640
ecrawley@mainetoday.com
Twitter: @Evan_Crawley
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