A Game with No Losers

The excited way they ran to their classmates showed just how much this win meant to them, and a unlike the many times we've seen students run onto the field after beating a rival, several of these players jumped into the stands to celebrate with their classmates. This wasn't just any victory, it was a record 8th in a row over an opponent they have been playing since 1890. It is the greatest rivalry game in any sport in this country, and the only one that can be played on this Saturday. No matter what these teams records they will play on national TV, in a pro stadium, in the week between the end of the college football season, and the first weekend of bowl season. The two schools have combined for 4 National Titles, and 5 Heisman Trophy winners. Despite all that nobody looks at either of these schools as national powers, just as schools full of some of the bravest young men the country has to offer.
I am of course talking about the Army - Navy game, which Navy has won yet again. Junior Quarterback Rickey Dobbs led his team to victory, while setting the NCAA record for most rushing touchdowns by a Quarterback in a single season and becoming only the third Navy Quarterback to rush for 1000 yards in a season. Navy improved to 9-4 on the season and will face Missouri in the Texas Bowl, Army fell to 5-7 falling just one victory short of their first bowl since 1996.
After the victory Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo teared up on the sideline as he talked about how much this victory means to everyone involved and how proud he was of the guys on both teams, saying that these are the guys that are going to protect us.