GA/PC Day: What a Tradition!
At first, it was only football in this oldest continuous school rivalry in the country:
- 1886-87—First Meeting: Germantown Academy 20, Penn Charter 6
- 1898-99 - Then came the Penn Charter game. What a day it was! In a drenching rain, and on a field of mud and water we plowed, or rather swam, up and down throughout the whole afternoon. We won the game. Once more the cup has rested peacefully above Mr. Kershaw’s desk, and may it long remain there. Germantown Academy 6, Penn Charter 5.
- 1917-18 - At last only the Penn Charter game was left. We played this on November 23 at Tabor. As usual, we were defeated, but it was no disgrace, as the Penn Charter boys outweighed us ten pounds to a man. They also had numberless substitutes, whom they used to great advantage. Penn Charter 54, Germantown Academy 0.
- 1925-26 - For the first time in many years, Germantown Academy was represented by a soccer team in 1925. Due to the inexperience of the players, however, the season was not a success.
- 1929-30 - The 43rd annual clash with Penn Charter on November 1 was won by the boys wearing the red, black, and blue, 13-6. Penn Charter tied the score in the last period on a forward pass, but Roberts countered with a 35-yard run through the whole Queen Lane team. “Connie” Mack took a pass for the thirteenth point.
- 1934-35 - The 1934 football team was one of the greatest in the history of the Academy. The team swept through a schedule of nine games without a defeat. Of all the high schools and prep schools in the city, our school was the only one that could boast of an untied and undefeated eleven, a record and an honor in itself. Our last and most important game was played on November 16 at Penn Charter. Ten thousand people attended this game, by far the most exciting of the season. When the final whistle blew the score was Germantown Academy 13, Penn Charter 12. The old bell, which had rung out after every other victory during the year, rang long and hard after the PC game.
- 1941-42 - Our next Inter-Ac game was played with Penn Charter on a wet, muddy field, and the score came to a standstill at 6-6. There is no doubt, however, that the score would have been different if the field had been dry. Through lack of players and experience, GA’s soccer teams have had their share of hard luck. This year, sadly enough, was no exception.
- 1954-55 - The last game of the season ended on complete disaster for GA, losing its annual contest to Penn Charter 26-0. This year’s soccer team was one of the most spirited and competitive that GA has ever seen. Under the able leadership of Bob Fulton, they went on to win more than half their games.
- 1964-65 - The day of the game was bright, clear, and cool. Standard procedure was followed, and, as usual, we lost the toss. Penn Charter was unable to keep the home team from scoring twice on ground plays, but they were successful in completing three touchdown plays of their own. The hard-fought game was a spectators’ delight, for, if a game could be won on statistics, we did it.
- 1973-74 - Besides the annual tradition, the Penn Charter game meant the championship and GA’s first undefeated season since 1952. GA turned the Gold and Blue to black and blue… Only a long bomb spoiled the defense’s shut out. The 30-6 kill over a superb Penn Charter team gave the Inter Ac champs an undefeated season. Though plagued by injuries and frustrations, the '74 soccer team achieved some bright moments, most notably at mid-season in a hard fought victory over PC.
- 1986-87—100th Meeting - The wind was biting and the fields were frozen. Wild cheers broke the stillness of the cold autumn day as hundreds of ardent fans watched their soccer team come from a 3-0 deficit to upset the Quakers 5-3. Elated, the fans scurried to claim seats on the football bleachers. Though the Patriots outscored PC in the second half, it was not enough. Final score 28-18… November 15 was more than just a football game. It was history.
- 1996-97 - The 1996 Football team accomplished something this year that hadn’t been accomplished for sixteen years. In front of an enthusiastic GA crowd, the Patriots overcame the odds and beat Penn Charter 9-6. There was something distinctly different about 110th GA-PC Day. Like the players, the GA fans were in top form. They were full of excitement and deafening cheers could be heard throughout the day. November 9 was a wonderful day for all those involved (at least those on the GA side!)
- 1999 - Under the direction of Head Coach Bill Caum '64, the Patriots edged PC, 28-14, to clinch its first Inter-Ac League title since 1973. Jim Slattery '00 was named the Geis Trophy (MVP) winner following the game.
- 2003 & 2004 - While the Patriots won a share of the Inter-Ac League title in '03 and '04 they were unable to get past the Quakers on GA-PC Day.
- 2013 - In the 127th game, the Patriots rallied from a 35-14 second half deficit to win, 42-35, in dramatic fashion on the Quakers' home turf. In winning, the Patriots snapped a 12-game losing streak to the Patriots. It was Coach Matt Dence's first win on GA-PC Day. Senior quarterback Hayes Nolte '14 was named the Geis Trophy winner after he broke the school career passing record set by Sean Grieve '04 and sparked GA's incredible comeback. Nolte finished the day in the air 17-for-20 for 282 yards and his GA career with 3,892 passing yards. Nolte also rushed for two touchdowns against PC and threw a touchdown pass.
- 2014 - In the 128th edition, which was broadcast live on Comcast, Isaiah Jones ’18 scored three first half touchdowns to boost the Patriots to a 40-29 victory over PC before an overflow crowd at Carey Stadium. Jones rushed for 121 yards on 20 carries and finished the season with 1,010 yards on 169 carries. He was named co-MVP and awarded the Geis Trophy along with GA sophomore quarterback Kyle McCloskey '17, who threw for 158 yards and two touchdowns.
- 2016 - In arguably the most nerve-wracking game in GA-PC Day history, the Patriots came out on top, 17-14, in the 130th game thanks to a last second field goal by Vince Capone '16, which was set-up by a masterful drive by Geis Trophy winner Kyle McCloskey '17 before a standing room only crowd at Carey Stadium. Not only was pride on the line, but so was a share of the league title as the Patriots battled all afternoon against a very tough Quakers squad. “We have three goals,” said GA Head Coach Matt Dence following the 130th game. “One is to win the day, the second is to win the Inter-Ac, and the third is to beat PC. We had two check marks before, but on Saturday we checked all three. That’s what this senior class has done. They have brought us to a point where we can check all three of our goals. To do that with this crew is very special. Matt Gorman is just a winner. Pat McGettigan is just a winner. Kyle McCloskey is just a winner.” After a scoreless first half, the Patriots got on the board when McCloskey barreled in from seven yards out with 3:34 left in the third quarter. Both offenses broke through in the fourth quarter when PC’s Edward Saydee capped off a Quakers’ drive with a one-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 7-7 with 9:39 to go in the fourth. The Patriots answered when McCloskey connected with wide receiver Mike Reilly ’17 in space for a 49-yard touchdown to put the Pats up 14-7 with 5:48 to go. For a moment, it appeared GA would win the game by that score, but if GA-PC Day history has taught fans anything, it has taught them that it’s not over until it’s over. And that’s exactly the point when a near sack of PC quarterback Michael Hnatkowsky turned into 68-yard catch-and-sprint broken play touchdown for Saydee leveling the score at 14-14 with 4:12 to go in the game. The teams traded punts before the Patriots started their final game-winning drive with the ball on their own 36 and 1:06 remaining. The senior southpaw did just that as he engineered the perfect drive and accounted for all the offense to set up Capone's heroics. Following the game, McCloskey, who scored two touchdowns, ran for 119 yards, and passed for 165s yard, was named the MVP of the game and given the Geis Trophy. During the game, he broke former quarterback Hayes Nolte’s (class of 2014) school record of 3,886 all-time passing yards. McCloskey finished his career with 3,903 yards.