Last night, around 7:30, flanked by multiple Peekskill Police Department officers and New York State police cars, Midshipmen from the US Naval Academy in Annapolis  trotted their way up Highland Avenue carrying a football that will be used in one of the most famous rivalries in American college athletics: the annual Army vs Navy Football Game. They were running quickly through Peekskill as it’s Army territory.

As the Midshipmen ran up Highland Avenue, Peekskill police ensured their safety by briefly stopping traffic at intersections. The Navy runners made their way along Highland Avenue into downtown Peekskill, and once they made it to Busy Corner they turned left onto Main Street/ Route 6 and continued to trek down Main. Once they hit Broad Street, they turned right at the Central Firehouse and made their way up Broad Street. They then made a left onto Crompond Road and carried the ball all the way up Route 202. They Navy left Army territory around 8 pm as this reporter teased the Navy and yelled “Go Army!” the team of three midshipmen replied “Nooo! Go Navy! Hooyah!” 

In 1981 the college rivalry, known as “America’s Game,” acquired a new tradition when cadets from the U.S. Military Academy, known as the Army Black Knights, and midshipmen from the U.S. Naval Academy began running footballs to be used in the game from their home site to the stadium. This year is no different. But, this is the longest run yet for the Navy. In the 42nd year of the running of the football tradition, Midshipmen from the 13th Company will trek over 463 miles from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland through seven states carrying a football that will be used during the game. Each runner will cover 8-12 miles of the trek and could get up to four carries during the full trip, meaning they may carry the ball for up to 48 miles. The Midshipmen began their trek at noon on Tuesday December 5th while the Army, who has only half the running distance, began their 205 mile trek from West Point at 6 am on Thursday. 

The Army vs. Navy football game is one of the longest and most enduring college rivalries in American Collegiate History. This year the rivalry continues at 3:00 pm on Saturday, December 9th, when the 124th annual classic Army vs Navy game will be played for the first time at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. 

Please remember this week only Peekskill’s small business community has generously donated towards a pool of money enabling us to offer a matching funds opportunity – to help incentivize the wider community to support Peekskill Herald. This week, every dollar you donate will be double matched – up to $3000 – thanks to their generous support.  A very special thank you to Bruised Apple Books, Bucko, Copy Center and Services, Division Street Guitars, Dylan’s Wine Cellar, Early Electrics, Fuhgeddaboudit Deli, Fused Fitness, Retake Remake, Slainte and The Flowerhouse10547.  Every dollar counts and helps keep this 501c3 organization thriving. 

If you enjoy seeing events like this publicized and our hyperlocal Peekskill Centric news articles please donate by visiting Support the Herald. We only exist with your support. The Peekskill Herald is a 501c3 charitable organization and all donations are tax-deductible. Don’t forget to subscribe to our daily email informing you of all of the newest content delivered directly to your inbox.