1) Norwich Head Coach Mike Chrystie, along with defensive coordinator Ed Holmquist, rallies up the team and the crowd. “Beat Oneonta” is always a must for the Norwich community in the long history between the two teams. 2) Norwich’s Gabe Blenis recovers on an overthrow and makes sure the dummy goes into the fire. The traditional bonfire is something the Norwich community looks forward to every year. (Photos by Morgan Golliver)

NORWICH – The Norwich Purple Tornado and the Oneonta Yellow Jackets football teams are ready to continue their rivalry on Friday, October 7. There are many memories and many stories to be told in a rivalry that has been going on since around the 1920s.

While the rivalry sets to play its 93rd game in the making, Norwich leads all records with 59-32-1. Oneonta is an opponent Norwich has played more than any other team for football in school history.

On Thursday, the traditional bonfire in East Main Park continued, where all the Norwich football program teams were announced from Modified to Varsity. An event that the community looks forward to every year.

For Head Coach Mike Chrystie, the Norwich-Oneonta game is circled on the calendar every year. Chrystie also thanked the community for their continuous support before giving a brief speech.

“We know this game is circled on our calendar every year and we know how important it is to the community and past players,” he said. “We’re going to do everything in our power to make sure tomorrow night that we take care of business, make you proud, and come out with a W.”

Defensive Coordinator Ed Holmquist shared his fond memory of playing against Oneonta.

“ This rivalry has been going on since 1925. So, there have been lots and lots of stories,” he said. “ As a senior in 1990, we had to face Oneonta. We came in Monday morning and found out that there was this bet. The Oneonta Mayor called over to the Norwich Mayor and decided to share with him that not only that Oneonta was going to win, but they were going to win decisively. We prepared that week and we beat them 34-0.”

Holmquist believes in his current team, as does Coach Chrystie and the rest of the staff, to do the same as he once did.

“These group of men behind you have worked all week preparing and they’re going to bust their butts to beat Oneonta,” he said.

Kick off is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Ulrich Field. Come out and cheer on your Norwich Purple Tornado.