The seniors from CR South and CR North were honored at a special senior dinner at Northampton Valley Country Club on Wednesday, setting the stage for Saturday’s annual Rock Cup showdown. The following article is sponsored by Sterling Limousine and Transportation Services in Wrightstown.
By Mary Jane Souder
Their stories are varied, and they all bring a unique perspective to Saturday’s annual Council Rock North-Council Rock South contest. One thing all the seniors at Wednesday night’s annual Senior Dinner at Northampton Valley Country Club seemed to agree on was the fact that games don’t get any bigger than Saturday’s rivalry contest.
“The North-South game is more than a game to all of us,” Rock South senior captain Michael Crowley said. “It’s possibly the last game for any of us (seniors) to play.
“Not only that, but we grew up with a lot of these kids, playing Northampton Indians together. I’ve known almost all of those seniors since I was really little.”
“All year long you’re training for South week,” North senior captain Mitch Maisel said. “The season is important, but the South week is like the highlight of our season. We’ve been playing with these kids since we were real young. We know them. We played on the same teams as them. Besides our team, they’re the group of guys we know best.”
On Saturday, the neighboring rivals will line up against each other in the annual Rock Cup game. Forget the fact that Rock North has already clinched a district playoff spot, this game matters to the Indians.
“Whether it’s a championship game or we’re in a playoff game, it always comes down to our game against Council Rock South,” Rock North senior captain Connor Guzy said. “It’s always the most important game to us because it’s been a rivalry for such a long time.
“I remember my brother’s team – they had to play them, and if they won, they went to the playoffs. They ended up losing (17-0), and that was one of the worst things I’ve ever seen. It’s the biggest game of the year, no doubt. We actually made three goals in the preseason. One of our top three goals was to beat South.”
Rock South senior captain Connor Brunetti credits football for linking him into the school.
“I transferred into South, and I really didn’t know anyone,” he said. “I got a bunch of new friends from football.
“I actually became good friends with Eric Gallo (Class of 2014). He was a great role model. I played next to him on the line last year, and he was amazing to be playing with. Last year I could see myself becoming part of the team, and it made me realize how much of a family we really are when you start actually being more a part of your team. You start doing things together. You want to come out to practice, you can’t wait for football to come around.”
Brunetti always thought that wrestling would be his sport of focus, but instead, football became his passion.
“I realized I enjoyed it way more,” he said. “I love the coaches. I met a bunch of new people that I liked.
“I enjoyed it so much that I decided this was for me. It’s probably the best decision I made in my high school career. We really came together as a family the past four years.”
Teammate Emeka Enogwe also found a new family on the football field.
“When I moved here in sixth grade, I never really liked my neighborhood that much,” the senior captain said. “There aren’t a lot of African-Americans, and I didn’t feel a part of things.
“My freshman year I had a few problems, so I went out for football, doing something productive to let out that frustration. I kind of just played for that reason. I never really played for the team.”
But somewhere along the way, things changed dramatically for Enogwe.
“Last year I really started to feel a part of the team, and I started really caring for my teammates,” he said. “I saw them not just as guys I play with but as teammates and more like my family. I see them as my brothers, and I see my coaches as part of my family too. No matter what happens on Saturday, I’m not worried because I know my brothers have my back. This is my last game, and I’m going to give everything I’ve got.”
For both teams, the stakes are high. The Indians are playing for district playoff position while the Hawks are playing for a winning season.
“This game is huge,” Brunetti said. “It caps off our season. It’s going to make us either 5-5 or 6-4, and I’d much rather be 6-4 and have a winning season since we’ve had losing seasons the last two years.
“I haven’t really had a taste of having a winning season. If we went out with a win, it would just finish my season. I’d have great memories.”
The significance of the game is not lost on the coaches.
“It’s a strong tradition that’s not talked about enough in Lower Bucks County or in Bucks County,” Rock South coach Vince Bedesem said. “This will be one of the top and best games around the State of Pennsylvania come Saturday.”
“At the end of the day, you want to beat your rival,” Rock North coach Adam Collachi said. “That’s always goal number one. I’m sure it’s the same for South – to beat North.
“It’s a great week. In reality, this is our first playoff game. Regardless of what happens when the seedings come out, we treat this like a playoff game. It’s going to have that playoff intensity right away. It’s a great game, it’s a great week.”
At noon on Saturday, the neighboring rivals will take the field. Only one will leave with the Rock Cup in its possession.
“It’s just a passion for us to go out and play,” Crowley said. “We get to do what we love.
“Football is something that we dedicate five, six or even seven days a week to in the offseason. Fifty-two weeks a year, 365 days a year. We’ll go out there on Saturday, and we get to do what we love for one last time. I wouldn’t want it any other way. I wouldn’t change it for anything.”
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