Kewanee-Princeton finishes third longest continuous rivalry

The Princeton-Kewanee rivalry, which Friday, came to a close, or at least put on hold, has been thought of locally as the longest continuously rivalry in the state.

Starting in 1897 and running continuously since 1919, the Princeton-Kewanee rivalry is close to the longest running rivalry, but not quite. It appears to be the third.

West Aurora has been involved in two rivalries that have outlasted the Princeton-Kewanee series, according to research by Steve Solarz and Neal Ormond of Aurora.

West Aurora’s rivalry with crosstown rival East Aurora began in 1893 and currently includes 117 games. There were two games played in 1896 and two in 1898, and there were no games played in 1894 and 1897. The rivalry has continued uninterrupted since 1898.

With this year’s win, West has won 57, East has won 48 and there have been 12 ties.

West also has played Elgin continuously since 1915, 94 years straight including this year’s meeting. They first met in 1896 and played two games in 1898. There were no games played in 2002 and 1914. West holds the edge in this rivalry 55-49-10.

Longtime rivals Tuscola and Arcola first met in 1896 and played regularly through 2006 before Tuscola left the Little Okaw Valley to join the Okaw Valley, which formed two divisions. They met in the 2007 playoffs with Tuscola padding its series edge to 54-44-6 in 104 meetings.

With Friday’s win, Princeton finished on top its rivalry with Kewanee 56-54-4 in the 114th and final meeting, for now, with the Boilers. The Boilers are moving to the Big Rivers Conference next season and have a full slate of nine conference games. Kewanee athletic director Greg Christakos told the BCR Princeton would be one of the first schools he would contact should any opening arise on the Boilers’ future schedule.

Princeton and Hall have met 79 times with the Red Devils holding the series edge at 49-29-1. Among other longtime rivals, Princeton stands 34-20-1 against IVC, 37-29-2 against Rock Falls, but is just 34-45-4 vs. Mendota.

Hall and Mendota have now met 79 times with the Red Devils leading the series 41-38. Hall also stands 20-9 vs. Kewanee and 25-7 vs. Rock Falls.