Every major sports team has to have a rival team, a team that will challenge them and keep their season exciting no matter how poorly they may be doing. The Blue Streaks have that same intensity and competitiveness with the Hackettstown sports teams, aka the Tigers . 

Since 1906, the two programs have been battling it out on the football field and ever since on almost every athletic competition..

The Streaks lead the overall series 46-43-6 and in 1986 the Beater Board was introduced as a prize to the winning team of the matchup and since introduced, the Streaks have won 25 of the 34 meetings, including 12 seasons where they won the match up consecutively and almost ended the rivalry due to their continuous success under legendary Head Coach Bob Lockhart, whose tenure as football coach ran from 1993 to 2005.

In many other sports, the two teams have continued to be evenly matched, except for Lacrosse, where Warren Hills has never lost a meeting against Hackettstown in the history of the two schools’ rivalry.

 This year marked the 96th time the two football teams faced off, making it Warren County’s oldest rivalry and a game that is highly anticipated by both schools.  

Due to COVID-19 and the limited number of fans in attendance, last year’s meeting wasn’t as electrifying, but this year, with restrictions lifted, Hackettstown’s Morrison Field was packed. 

Another major contributor to the excitement leading up to this year’s competition was the differences in both teams’ journeys this season.

 Warren Hills had a hot start to their season, starting 3-0 with big wins over Voorhees, South Plainfield and Carteret, but hit some bumps losing three of their last five games. The Streaks, who were looking at the post- season,  needed to make sure they won this game to secure a higher seed. 

Hackettstown, on the other hand, was looking to get their first win of the season with a record of 0-8 going into their final game.

Despite these differences, the game was intense and entertaining and one that will long be remembered by players and fans alike.  

Senior players especially  will long remember the game of rivalry they worked long and hard for, ever since they played Pee Wee for their respective recreational teams. 

In the end, though, it is Warren Hills  who will have the best memories of the Big Game Halloween Weekend 2021, for it was none other than the Blue Streaks who yet again brought home the coveted Beater Board.