Rochester defeats Monaca in Battle of the Bridge

November 25, 2009

Great American Rivalry Series

The Great American Rivalry Series arrived in Rochester PA early Friday afternoon, championship trophy in hand, ready to pump up the Rochester High School students for what would be remembered as the final pep rally for the two-decade old Beaver County “Battle of the Bridge” game. The infamous rivalry between Rochester and Monaca, one of the biggest in the state, was coming to an end as Monaca was merging with the Central Valley school district and would no longer compete in WPIAL Class A. This last game would decide the final naming rights of the bridge that divided Monaca and Rochester, an annual ritual created by two former mayors many years ago. The Great American Rivalry Series was there to be part of history.

The final “Battle of the Bridge” started early Saturday morning with a special coin toss ceremony at the bridge. Mayors, police chiefs, school superintendents, and fans as well as players and coaches from both teams were there to represent their cities. A friendly hand shake between the two rivals and it was time for this historical and ceremonial coin toss on the bridge. The visiting team, Monaca, called “heads” and won the toss of the 1943 Australian shilling coin given to the game by a Monaca resident. Challenges were issued, interviews given, pictures taken and the game was on…

The final Battle of the Bridge game was a much ballyhooed rivalry game for these two communities. Rochester came in undefeated and ranked 1st in the state.

(CLICK ON PHOTO FOR GAME GALLERY)