 North Hagerstown High School junior Cody Dewald cheers on the Hubs at the Gridiron Classic Friday night. (Credit: Ric Dugan / Staff Photographer) |
 South Hagerstown HIgh School senior Dusten Myers cheers on the Rebels at the Gridiron Classic Friday night. (Credit: Ric Dugan / Staff Photographer) |
 Hagerstown Mayor Bob Bruchey flips the coin at the start of the Gridiron Classic between North Hagerstown and South Hagerstown high schools. (Credit: Ric Dugan / Staff Photographer) |
By TIM KOELBLE
koelble@herald-mail.com
Abby Urner, captain of the North Hagerstown High School cheerleaders, was ready Friday night for her fourth straight rivalry game against South Hagerstown.
Before kickoff, she predicted the Hubs would win the game, 28-13.
She successfully picked the winner, but she was a little off on the score as North rolled to a 44-0 victory at Mike Callas Stadium in the 53rd meeting of the city series.
The victory was the seventh straight over the Rebels for the Hubs, who retained the Hagerstown Gridiron Classic trophy once again.
“It’s a tradition and I think (the trophy) will stay with us,” Urner said before the game. “I’m excited tonight, we’re all excited. It’s a lot of fun.”
After North senior Greg Pheabus scored a touchdown in the second quarter, his mother, Julia, shed some tears.
“It’s a mixed bag of emotions for us,” she said as she and her husband, Dave, watched their son for the final time in a Hubs uniform.
They have attended North High football games for nine years and plan to continue rooting for the Hubs after their son graduates.
“It’s the last one for us,” Julia Pheabus said. “I cried when he scored. These North kids have been the kindest kids. We’ll keep coming back.”
Scott and Tressa Nicewarner, who were supporting South High, decorated their home during the week in green, displaying their South Hagerstown loyalty.
“Whether you went to South or didn’t, it’s a way of showing your support for the kids,” Scott Nicewarner said. “This is a part of the kids’ life.”
Nicewarner said the school had a terrific pep rally this week.
The crowd arrived early, looking to get prime seats. The gates opened at 6 p.m., 90 minutes before the game began.
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