Peddie School and Blair Academy share New Jersey's oldest continuous prep-football competition, dating back to 1903. Each November, the two schools square off in five sports and play for the coveted Potter-Kelley Cup. The Peddie-Blair rivalry epitomizes spirited competition, sportsmanship, and mutual respect. Coaches and athletes from both schools have developed ongoing friendships.
Sure signs that Blair Week is here: Students wearing crazy dress-down attire, slogans and banners everywhere, blue and gold decorations, and lots more! The week-long fun culminates on Friday evening when dorm and team skits take center stage at Maurice P. Shuman Field before the spectacular bonfire and all-campus cookout.
History on the gridiron
The well-worn cliché, “You can throw out the record books for this one,” certainly deserves to be applied to the Peddie-Blair rivalry.
It’s a storied series that has seen monumental swings in fortunes. Peddie ruled the turf during the late 1950’s through the early 60’s. Blair vaulted into the limelight with seven dominating wins in the 90’s. In a century of gridiron battles, the spread between the two schools is in favor of the Blairstown boys who hold a 54-49-5 advantage. Blair's longest winning streak was six games in 1905-10. Peddie won eight consecutive match-ups from 1956-63. The most lopsided win was Peddie's 60-0 victory in 1913, while Peddie's worst loss was 62-3 in 1951.
The Peddie-Blair agreement
Prior to 1935, the Peddie-Blair game often ended in turmoil with goal posts coming down and not so gentlemanly behavior among students. In order to create a more orderly and civilized atmosphere, the headmasters of the two institutions, along with student representatives, met in 1935 and formed what is known as "The Peddie-Blair Agreement."
Adopted unanimously by both schools, it proposed to quell the chaos:
1. The supporters of the defeated team remain in the stands while the victors with band and supporters march off the field, marching around it if they wish.
2. The trophy for the game will be the football used in the contest. The goal posts are to remain unmolested. The victorious team shall retain the football. In case of a tie, the visiting team is to have the trophy.
3. The supporters of the losing team shall remain in their portion of the stands and sing their school song after the victors have left the field.
The agreement received nationwide publicity when it was adopted. It was the subject of a major speech during a National Sportsmanship Brotherhood meeting and later sparked discussions among several state athletic associations. Although the tradition was formally discontinued, sportsmanship and fairplay remain the centerpeice of the day.
Blair Day Results (November 10, 2012)
All events took place at Blair Academy
Varsity Football - BLAIR 41-21
JV Football (11/9) - BLAIR 26-8
Cross Country - Boys BLAIR 28-28 (Tiebreaker)
Cross Country - Girls BLAIR 23-34
Soccer - Boys Varsity PEDDIE 1-0
Soccer - Boys JV BLAIR 3-0
Soccer - Boys 3rds BLAIR 1-0
Soccer - Girls Varsity PEDDIE 4-1
Soccer - Girls JV Tie OT 2-2
Field Hockey - Varsity PEDDIE 2-1 OT
Field Hockey - JV BLAIR 2-1
Tennis - Girls Varsity PEDDIE 6-1
Tennis - Girls JV Tie 3-3
POTTER-KELLEY CUP TALLY - Blair 7, Peddie 4, 2 ties
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