In case you hadn’t heard, it’s Cony-Gardiner football week, and the showdown between the 7-0 Rams and the 6-1 Tigers on Friday at Fuller Field is one of the most anticipated in the rivalry’s history.
Some games, though, might be able to make a similar claim. Here’s a look at five other matchups in the history of the 133-year-old rivalry that generated quite a buzz at the time.
Nov. 19, 1932: Cony 2, Gardiner 0
Prior to 1950, Maine did not crown official high school football champions. Instead, the state’s strongest teams claimed “mythical” state titles — exactly what the 8-0 Rams were playing for as they took on the 6-2 Tigers at Williams Field in Augusta.
The buildup to the game made headlines, and not just due to the matchup’s significance. The Thursday night before the game, firefighters were called to Cony High after reports of a blaze, only to find that the grounds crew had lit a fire in an attempt to dry the field. On Friday, Cony star Norm Merrill was ruled academically ineligible.
The game that Saturday was a muddy affair, with the Kennebec Journal calling the field a “clam flat” in its commentary. Cony drove to the goal line three times, only to fumble away a slippery ball each time. Still, the Rams earned a 2-0 victory when they tackled the Tigers’ Glen Falconi in the end zone on a punt for a safety. It was just enough, and the Rams claimed a state title.
Nov. 6, 1946: Gardiner 6, Cony 0
The 1940s saw increased interest in Maine schoolboy football, producing some of the highest attendance figures in state history. The Cony-Gardiner rivalry was at its peak, with both frequently fielding strong teams.
At 7-0, Gardiner had allowed just six points all season entering the 1946 meeting. Although Cony was a bit down at 3-5, the Rams were confident they could notch a fifth straight win in the series, following back-to-back shutouts of Winslow and Waterville.
The attendance of 5,439 was the second-largest in Williams Field history and was, according to the Kennebec Journal, “probably the largest crowd ever to witness a Cony-Gardiner game.” That crowd saw the Tigers break their hex against the Rams, as a Jackie McDonald touchdown in the third quarter marked the only score of the game.
Oct. 27, 1984: Gardiner 41, Cony 8
Few programs were stronger in the 1980s than John Wolfgram’s Tigers. Both teams entered the regular-season finale in 1984 at 6-2. The winner would go to the Pine Tree Conference playoffs, while the loser’s season would be over.
In what is still known as “The Rick Lovely Game” among the Gardiner faithful, the Tigers notched a fifth straight win in the rivalry. The Gardiner senior rushed for 212 yards and three touchdowns and took the second-half kickoff 85 yards for a score spoiling Cony’s best season in 25 years.
“It was probably our finest performance of the year,” Wolfgram told the KJ following the win. “We worked hard all week, and we were well-prepared mentally to play football.”
Oct. 31, 1992: Cony 18, Gardiner 7
The 100th anniversary of the Cony-Gardiner rivalry was going to bring significant fanfare no matter what. With the Rams and Tigers both in elite form in 1992, the stage was set for possibly the biggest game in series history.
The day before the Halloween showdown, the Kennebec Journal published an 18-page special section that touched on every storyline possible. In addition to 11 bylined stories, the jam-packed section featured advertisements from just about every business in the capital area.
Despite 16 penalties, the Rams prevailed. Mike Jowdry had a big day with 130 rushing yards and a touchdown, while Cony’s defense limited Gardiner standout Chris Whalen to 41 yards on 18 carries. Both teams left the field with 7-2 records, setting up something historic.
Nov. 7, 1992: Cony 14, Gardiner 6 (Class A East semifinal)
With Cony’s win over Gardiner in the ’92 regular-season finale, the Rams finished second in the PTC and the Tigers third. As a result, they’d meet again at Alumni Field the following Saturday in the first-ever postseason matchup between the two teams.
Gardiner took a 6-0 lead into halftime. Backup quarterback Bill Brochu tied the game for Cony on a 7-yard run in the third quarter, and a 35-yard Scott Harriman touchdown run in the fourth sent the Rams to the regional final against Lawrence.
“(There was a) fear of whether we could win that game twice because they’re a very good team, and they’re hungry after that loss to come out and set the record straight,” Cony defensive tackle Jason Mills recalled in a 2023 interview. “I think that’s why you saw a closer game the second time.”
