On October 24, 2009 a pasture on the east side of the historic Doyle Estate located in Leominster Massachusetts was transformed into a nineteenth century football field.
Two squads of young men took to the gridiron representing the Leominster and FitchburgHigh School football teams of 1894 - the very first year of the ancient rivalry. The players, coaches, game officials and bystanders were dressed in clothing of the period.
With only a mouthpiece for protection from the perils of tackle football the young (and a few not so young) men who participated on the gridiron this day should be applauded for their courage and sportsmanship.
Their fearless running, blocking and tackling provided spectators with an extraordinary, and one could argue a very accurate, glimpse of what it was really like to play the game of football 125 years ago. Congratulations, men…
Photo courtesy of Vinny Apollonio/Leominster Champion
Photo courtesy of Vinny Apollonio/Leominster Champion
Photo courtesy of Vinny Apollonio/Leominster Champion
Photo courtesy of Vinny Apollonio/Leominster Champion
Photo courtesy of Vinny Apollonio/Leominster Champion
Photo courtesy of Vinny Apollonio/Leominster Champion
Photo courtesy of Vinny Apollonio/Leominster Champion
