In the 57th year of the Archbishops’ Trophy, the Vancouver College Fighting Irish won 34-7 and took a four-game series lead over the Notre Dame Jugglers to reach an all-time record of 30-26-1.
“The series has gone in streaks as the Irish won the first nine and have won the last 10, but in between, Notre Dame dominated,” said Bruce Jagger, who helps manage the Irish and works in alumni relations. “I think it speaks well of the rivalry that after 57 years, only four wins separate the two schools.”
Notre Dame had a series lead through the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s. The teams were evenly matched in the ’90s and the Fighting Irish recently evened the series at 26 wins apices in 2009, culminating a six-game winning streak. They also won the last four meetings.
The two Catholic brotherhoods tied in 1977 when they clashed at Empire Field and managed only eight points apiece. It wasn’t the lowest-scoring game on record. That benchmark was set in 1978 when Vancouver College won 3-0.
The first trophy was awarded to the Irish in 1957 when they beat the Jugglers 38-19 and Notre Dame’s Mike Dagenais was named the MVP. For the next four decades, there wasn’t another MVP. Instead, the honours were shared between the best back and the best lineman, awarded the Father Joseph McInerney Trophy and the Father Peter McGuire Memorial Trophy, respectively.
The family names of past celebrated players includes Sanvido, Konar and Jagger, names that resonate with generations of Vancouver College alumni. From Notre Dame, George Oswald, a respected coach and football community builder, was honoured in 1964 when the Jugglers lost by one point at Capilano Stadium, and two different Passaglias were recognized, including Lui in 1970 and ’71 when Vancouver College was shut out 48-0 and 30-0.
The first-round of the AAA varsity post-season begins next week for both Vancouver College and Notre Dame.
The Fighting Irish host Mt. Boucherie at 1:30 p.m. Nov. 9.
The Jugglers travel to Abbotsford to play the M.J. Mouat Hawks at 3:30 p.m. Nov. 8.
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