By Richard W. Kozak, Jr.

Few things in the modern world seem to have any sense of longevity.  Andy Warhol’s 15 minutes of fame is now hovering around 9 minutes, sixty seconds is too long to heat up something in the microwave, and Brittney Spears is now “old” at 23.

Fortunately, for those of us in the Western New York area who have an affinity for the game of football, after over 100 years, the tradition of Harvard Cup Football on Thanksgiving morning is alive and well.

Imagine waking up in Buffalo, New York, in 1905, 1935, 1955,’75, or this year and despite what was happening in the world, two teams representing two high schools in the City would be getting ready to claim their share of local history.

On Thanksgiving morning, the McKinley Macks will take on the Burgard Bulldogs in the 2005 edition of the classic.  The two teams finished first and second respectively in the regular season, so the City’s best teams will take the field at Buffalo State College at 11 AM for a chance to claim the Crimson Cup.

The first time these two teams met for the City Championship was way back in 1942.  The game was billed as the first “All-Vocational” Harvard Cup game.  Although the focus and names of the participating schools may have been tweaked a bit to change with the times, both of the modern versions of these squads personify the “blue collar work ethic” of their gridiron counterparts of the past.

Both the Macks and Bulldogs have arrived in the Championship game courtesy of a stable of talented running backs spurred on by gifted offensive lines.  Where the Macks may have the distinct size advantage in height, weight, and roster size, the Bulldogs match them snap for snap with quickness and technique.

In Harvard Cup football, the “smash mouth” style of play with a few twists on each side is much anticipated and, at times, depending on the weather, a much needed part of a team’s repertoire and psyche.  Both teams have capable members in the “skill” positions, but the marquis for this game has the offensive and defensive lines brightly shining in the starring roles.

The Macks’ Pat O’Hara, Hezron Partin, Jon Hogg, Terry Mimms, and Steven Chauby will be trading blows with the “Hogs of the Dogs” led by Maurice Tossah, Cody Sanner, Marcus Bynes, Jeff Beaver, and Andrew Correa.

The Macks will, as J.P. Losman might say, “Bust you in the mouth” with the running back tandem of Chris Pratt and Sean Rogan.  Add the special teams play of the fleet footed Willie Burnett in the mix and one play can change the game.  The Macks Derrick Garner has turned up his game as a “go to” outlet for quarterback Tamere Shannon. 

The Blue Bulldogs, on the other side of the ball, are “Hard to Kill.”  One of the smallest schools in Western New York routinely faces schools two to three times larger and in higher size classes.  With a roster that barely lists two dozen players; the Bulldogs may be outgunned and undermanned but live by the mantra of “superior attitude and superior state of mind.”

The ‘Dogs are commandeered by the workman like pivot Dwane Lewis.  Lewis captains an offense that, perhaps, gets the ball to more different offensive weapons than any other offense in Western New York. 

Running back Terrell Henry led Burgard at the end of the regular season and into the playoffs but look for workhorse Andrew Hampton in the backfield.  Just when opposing defenses try to key in on the backfield, the Bulldogs sprinkle in slot Deamon Collier, tight end Andrew Williams, and split end Steven Harrison.

On defense, the Macks are led by the ball hawking linebacker Sergio Smith. Hogg will put pressure on opposing quarterbacks with his team leading sack total while defensive ends Terrance Clark and Antwan Oliver cancel the outside of the field.

When it comes time for Burgard to go on the defensive, they match up well against the Macks.  Terrell Henry has terrorized opposing quarterbacks with his ability to read offensives and jump into patterns and lanes to come down with big interceptions.  As many of the Bulldogs do, when Andrew Williams switches to defense, his speed and awareness fills opposing offenses with anxiety.

When it comes to coaching, no other coaches in Western New York High School football do so much with so few resources.  Instead of lamenting that fact, the League’s financial shortcomings, though frustrating, can be a sense of pride 

Look through any yearbook of high schools outside the City and you’ll see coaching staffs with a half a dozen or more on the sidelines and in the booth.  At McKinley, its head coach Bill Johnson and his dynamic assistant James Daye.

On the Burgard sidelines, former Buffalo State standout Jason Kolb is assisted by Keith Falkowski and the invigorated former Maryvale head coach Gary Braun.

Forget “X’s and O’s.”  These gentlemen, while successful on the field, are in the business of building better students and future men rather than just winning football games.

One thing that has changed for this year’s Harvard Cup Game is the venue.  For the first time since 1929, the Turkey Day Classic will not be played at the venerable All High Stadium due to a reconstruction project.  To keep the traditional game within the City confines, Buffalo State College’s Coyer Field will host the game with a schedule 11 AM kickoff.

If you can’t be at the game, the only place to get exclusive LIVE coverage of the game is on the radio on 1440 AM WJJL.  If you are outside the Western New York listening area, anyone around the world can log in and listen live or archived on www.WJJL.com.