David Weinberg: Fans of both Lower and Middle appreciate return of a rivalry anchored in tradition

Posted: September 13th 2024

Middle Township's players celebrate winning the Anchor Bowl over Lower Cape May.

By DAVID WEINBERG

For CapeAtlanticLive.com

The Middle Township High School football team rejoiced at midfield Thursday night, then gathered under the scoreboard that proclaimed its 14-0 victory over rival Lower Cape May Regional.

Once there, the Panthers players and coaches posed for pictures around the Anchor Bowl Trophy, then carried it back onto the buses to put it back in the high school’s trophy case for another year.

It signaled the end of an emotional, exciting evening that marked the return of one of South Jersey’s best high school football rivalries, plus a tribute to a local sports legend.

Kudos to Lower Cape May athletic director Erik Simonsen and other officials for painting black ribbons on the turf in memory of longtime local radio broadcaster Buddy Tarbotton, who passed away last July at age 63.

Radio/online partner and friend Brian Cunniff delivered a touching tribute, which was followed by a moment of silence in honor of Buddy, who took his role of color analyst to heart with his unique, homespun style that featured funny phrases and observations.

For instance, whenever since-graduated Lower defensive back/wide receiver Jackson Brown would snare an interception or catch a long pass, Buddy would invariably utter a line from “Doctor My Eyes” or “Running on Empty.”

The Middle-Lower rivalry was running on empty a year ago. Scheduling conflicts between the teams prevented them from playing last season, marking just the second interruption – Lower was forced to forfeit the 2013 game due to a rash of injuries – since 1948.

A large crowd filled the bleachers and lined the fences at Steven J. Steger Memorial Field on a cool, breezy evening to watch the renewal of one of South Jersey’s special rivalries.

Lower’s pep band provided catchy tunes while cheerleaders from both schools entertained their fans between plays. The Caper Tigers mascot strolled through the home bleachers, high-fiving spectators and playfully pretending to grab some “Old Bay” fries from an old man attending the game with two of his four grandsons.

The game has always held a special place in the old man’s heart, dating back to the 1970s, when he was part of one of the series’ most memorable editions.

Middle had traditionally dominated the rivalry at that time. The Panthers had won 15 straight since Lower Cape May officially replaced Cape May High in 1961. In 1975, Caper Tigers coach Jim Gallagher attempted to inject some extra juice by telling the media that if Lower beat Middle that year, he would treat the team to a steak dinner at the Lobster House.

Lower jumped to a 20-0 halftime lead at Middle. Someone pulled out an 8-track player in the visitor’s locker room and blasted K.C. and the Sunshine Band’s “That’s the Way I Like It.”

The Caper Tigers were soon listening to a different tune.

Middle scored on a fake punt during a second-half rally that netted a 22-20 victory. As the stunned Lower players walked off the field, Middle’s fans taunted them with chants of “No Steak Dinner, No Steak Dinner.”

To this day, I can’t eat a New York Strip without first breaking into a cold sweat.

Middle has also dominated the latest versions of the series. Thursday’s win, fueled by a pair of first-quarter touchdowns from standout running back Remi Rodriguez, was the Panthers’ 11th victory in the last 12 games against Lower.

The rivalry dates back to 1922 and was switched to Thanksgiving for a 26-year period from 1996 to 2021. The game was first labeled the “Anchor Bowl” in ’96, when Lower’s shop class created a trophy that contained an anchor from one of former coach Bill Garrison’s boats.

The teams haven’t played on Thanksgiving since 2021. The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association decided to expand the state playoffs to include a state championship game and as a result, most teams end their regular season in late October.

The Anchor Bowl should be played on Thanksgiving, but it’s not reasonable to expect players to wait three weeks to play it.

At least the two schools found a way to preserve the game, even if it’s played when fans are wearing shorts and T-shirts instead of sweaters and parkas.

When it comes to Middle-Lower, ‘tis better to play the Anchor Bowl now than never.

I bet Buddy would agree.