Looking forward to getting out of this snowy winter back East, and playing in the Brophy vs. Marcos “Co-Championship” re-match in sunny PHX … it’s been 20 years and we’re getting ready to “settle the score!”
Snow fell from heaven unassembled, and this what the kids and I put together ... not the best, but it was a lot of fun!
Dear Gatorade,
Over the past few weeks I have spoken with [XXXXX] re: the REPLAY campaign. I am writing today on behalf of the Brophy Broncos and Marcos de Niza Padres because both teams are beyond impressed with the REPLAY program, and we’d like to share our story for consideration.
Our teams played to a scoreless tie in the 1990 Arizona 5A State Soccer Final. At the time, a shootout wasn’t permitted and the teams were crowned “Co-Champions.” The rule has since been changed and “Co-Champions” is a thing of the past — thank goodness.
So, what does a potential REPLAY of the 5A State Soccer Final mean to Gatorade, you ask?
First, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the premiere soccer players from Metro Phoenix to truly settle an old score – once and for all. But more importantly, it is an opportunity for these men who have become today’s community leaders to give back to their families, schools, neighborhoods, youth soccer clubs and everyone else who helped to shape and mold them along the way as they have gone on to become successful men, fathers and community leaders.
Today, these players continue to serve as ambassadors for the game of soccer, their schools and the towns where they grew up and many still live. Some are doctors, lawyers, lobbyists, entrepreneurs, Wall St. traders and retired professional athletes; but there is one thing more than anything that both squads want to add to their list of accomplishments:
To become a Gatorade REPLAY campaign ambassador!
The ’90 State Soccer Final featured the two best schools, in Arizona. This was the match-up everyone was secretly hoping for and the day finally arrived on Saturday, February 10, 1990. This rivalry features the best players in Arizona, and both teams were stacked top-to-bottom with the Gatorade Player-of-the-Year, All-America, All-State, All-Conference and standout club players on both rosters. The stakes were high – and the game was on!
Typically, when two trains are heading toward one another at breakneck speed you want to turn away and not look. For 80 minutes of regulation play, and 20 minutes of double-overtime, the crowd couldn’t take their eyes off the field for one second as the non-stop action swung back and forth all afternoon on the pitch.
It was an epic showdown, although if you ask Marcos they will tell you they scored a “controversial goal” that was called back. The linesmen ruled “no goal” and the second overtime ensued. At the conclusion of 100 minutes of consecutive play, the score remained “0-0 ” and rather than having a shootout (penalty kicks) to determine an undisputed winner the Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) declared Brophy and Marcos “Co-Champions.”
To this day (some 19 years later), it is a sensitive and very sore topic for players, parents, families and classmates on both squads to discuss. The rivalry is as fierce today as it was in February 1990.
The score needs to be settled once and for all, and this time NO TIE is allowed!!
In response to the upcoming Easton vs. Phillipsburg REPLAY, both teams have chosen to re-assemble their ’90 squad and petition Gatorade to REPLAY the ’90 Arizona State Soccer Final. We have successfully re-assembled players from the original rosters (36 players in total) and we’re working together to make this happen.
The opportunity to square up against our fiercest opponent is a dream come true for both teams — please Gatorade, help our dream become a reality.
The potential opportunity to REPLAY our nemesis has been the greatest experience as players, classmates, school administrators and the community is abuzz about the mere “idea” of a potential re-match. Furthermore, local media is clamoring to write about this if/when Gatorade selects us for a REPLAY.
To show our unity, enthusiasm and support for the REPLAY campaign we have created a 1990 REPLAY Blog (http://1990replay.wordpress.com) and online petition to demonstrate our community support and unity.
As you consider other RELAY matches, I urge you to play close attention to the Brophy-Marcos blog and petition. We are organized, motivated and have a groundswell of support at the local, regional and national level.
Most importantly, we can successfully deliver a REPLAY match that will garner tremendous community support and goodwill for all involved with the Gatorade campaign.
A Brophy vs. Marcos REPLAY represents thousands of new friends and fans Gatorade hasn’t met yet!!!!
I am anxiously awaiting your reply and look forward to speaking with you soon – let’s do this!
Yours in sport, competition and soccer,
Brian Wendel
Brophy ‘92
Simply awesome and inspiring … well done, Gatorade … and here’s to a potential Brophy vs. Marcos REPLAY #2 !!!
Dear Gatorade,
This game and the entire REPLAY experience was awesome … truly a community building event and something my wife and I will fondly remember as we attended the pep rally, bonfire, block party and epic re-match … talk about a fun-packed weekend!
We didn’t graduate from either high school or even go to school in NJ or PA. The entire event was extremely well orchestrated and kudos to the Gatorade staff and its agency partners!
The trailer and episodes your team has developed is very compelling and inspiring, and everyone I’ve shared the links with has a similar response … “WOW — this is AWESOME!!!” The videos succinctly and effectively communicate everything that involves sports: family, friendship, camaraderie; school spirit; competition and mental/physical drive.
Easton and P’burg truly embraced this program and the game lived up to the hype … and everyone won in the end because the REPLAY brought so much joy to not only these two towns but “average joe” sports fans (like myself) from all across the country.
Thank you, and keep up the stellar work!
Sincerely,
Brian Wendel
Brophy ’92
It was a team effort for the Phillipsburg Stateliners. One that involved several months of preparation and came more than 15 years after a 1993 game ended in a 7-7 tie. P’burg posted a 27-12 victory over Easton in a game played in 90-degree temperatures at Fisher Stadium on the campus of Lafayette College.
“I think they had a couple more weapons than we did,” said Easton defensive tackle Chris Shannon. “Speed kills and they were faster than us.”
Joe Luke (P’burg) was named the game MVP and teammate Robert Wargo was named the game’s outstanding defensive player. Easton center Eric Detweiler earned lineman of the game honors.
“I know this whole experience means a lot to every single one of us,” said Keith Kullman on the P’burg squad.
(Source: Allentown Morning Call “The Press Box” – April 16, 2009)
By: Andre Williams
Gatorade has just what it had to hope for when it established a Replay game between Easton and Phillipsburg to settle a 7-7 score from their 1993 Thanksgiving Day bash at Lafayette College’s Fisher Field.
The replay game is scheduled for 3 p.m. on April 26.
Easton does not lack any confidence as evident by Red Rover Chris Shannon’s take on the matchup.
Here’s Shannon’s profile:
Age: 31.
Positon: Offensive guard, defensive line.
Why you did not win in 1993? We did come ready to play that day and Phillipsburg did, too.
Why you will win on April 26? Hard work, dedication, focus, determination, not to mention we are better looking.
Got a score? Easton 26-6 “And a physical beatdown of the ‘Liners on the national stage,” Shannon said.
My take: Now that’s a bulletinboard quote. Gotta love it.
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