It’s a rivalry almost a century old. The Friday night lights hit just a bit different when it comes to Oneida and Vernon-Verona-Sherrill.
The game is the talk of the town, particularly at Madison Square Barber Shop in Oneida, with the popular opinion to expect a close game.
Oneida class of 1973 Douglas Newman isnt going to the game, but know what it means to these communities.
“Every game between Oneida and VVS is big,” he said. “They always paint their cars off and they run through the town with the VVS and Oneida kids. It’s always been a rivalry, but it’s always been a good rivalry.”
Newman loves his orange and blue but his wife is an alumna of VVS.
“She goes to the games, but she doesn’t say much,” he said.
Mark Moody can’t remember what year he graduated from Oneida, but has fond memories of the games then.
“Beating up the kids from the other school,” he joked.
Doing the cutting, Jarrod Genge, whose family operates the oldest barber shop in the city. Over the years they’ve heard their fair share about the rivalry.
“They take it seriously on both sides. Big, big rivalry, ya know, known since my dad was in school there too (VVS),” said Genge. “I’m going to the game. A lot of people will be out there for it.”
Genge and company stay as unbiased as possible.
“My customers, their kids play for VVS, a couple of my customers their kids play for Oneida, so I don’t have a leg in the race.”
But they all had predictions on the Friday night’s action.
“I know the Oneida quarterback is really good. And I know the running back for VVS is really good. I think it’s going to be a close game,” Genge said. “But since my dad went to VVS, I have to root against it because it’s what we do with sports teams. So I’m pulling for Oneida.”
“I like to stick with it, but VVS has been tough they got some good coaches over there,” added Newman. “Hopefully, you know, Oneida comes up on top, but as long as they have good clean game that’s all I care about.”
