In the crazy world of football, rivalries are everything. Whether it is the Philadelphia Eagles and the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL), or the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Auburn Tigers of college football, rivalries unite teams in ways that regular games do not. The drive to win is increased by 110 percent, and trash talk makes it that much more exciting to watch.

  Living in Bethlehem, it is nearly impossible to not hear about the Freedom High School (FHS) vs Liberty High School (LHS) rivalry. This goes all the way back to 1968, a year after Freedom High School was created. The first football game was played on the field now known as Frank Banko Field. The result of the first game was a 3-0 Freedom victory.

  Since its inception, the game draws in approximately 15,000-20,000 people each year, according to Mrs. Pat Whirl, FHS attendance secretary and football statistician. The game used to be the homecoming game on a Friday night for both Freedom and Liberty.

  Over the next 49 regular season games against Freedom, Liberty has dominated the game. LHS’s longest win streak was eight in a row from 2003-2010, and it would have been an eleven game win streak if Freedom had not narrowly beat Liberty 45-42 in 2011.

  However, Freedom has started to change the curve in recent years. Since 2011, Freedom is 4-3, and 3 of the past 4 wins came in the last 3 years, before Liberty beat Freedom 21-7 in a tough loss this year. Remove the loss, though, and Freedom football is trending in the right direction.

  “As a kid, it was always Liberty running the show. These days, you actually have Freedom giving a chance and establishing their part within the community,” said Tijir Bleam, senior.

  Before the game even kicks off, the days leading up the game are a lot of fun. Students at both high schools have “Spirit Weeks” leading up to the game where the students participate in different themes. On the Friday before the game, a bonfire takes place at both schools where students can go out and celebrate their upcoming victories. On the day of the game, people can tailgate in Liberty’s teacher parking lot or on Grenadier boulevard. It is a great way for people all over the community to come together and enjoy one of the best days of the year in good ole’ B-town.

  Mrs. Whirl attended almost all the Freedom-Liberty football games since 1969.

  “[My favorite things are] any of the traditions that go with the Freedom-Liberty game, as well as the excitement of the bands and the people/alumni that come out to the game,” said Mrs. Whirl.

  Overall, while Liberty owns the win column over Freedom, the football game will forever be one of the most popular events of every school year for Freedom students.