This
weekend, here in Philadelphia, we partake in an old tradition…the
annual Army versus Navy football game.
Here
we go again.
Since 1890, these two
branches of the American military have duked it out over possession of the
pigskin, fighting for yardage and first downs, charging to the red zones,
punching past the goal lines, kicking it through the uprights…clashing like
titans on the combat zones of a neutral football field.
The
majority of these epic battles have taken place right here in
Philadelphia. In the early twentieth
century, these games were hosted by the University of Pennsylvania’s Franklin
Field…then it was moved to the old JFK Stadium…and now? The Lincoln Financial Field all the way down Broad
Street in South Philly.
The
U.S. Military Academy of West Point versus the U.S. Naval Academy of Annapolis…the
Army Black Knights versus the Navy Midshipmen…after 112 meetings on the
football gridiron, the record stands in Navy’s favor…56 wins, 49 losses and 7
ties.
But
who’s got the better trees?
In
the competitive, collegiate spirit of this yearly contest, Jon Spruce goes
a-hunting…Army vs. Navy, tree-style…which branch of the military here in
Philadelphia has the greatest trees and the wildest wilds…huddle up and blow
the whistle...line up and kick off…knock ‘em down but keep it clean…hike, hike...who will win
this contest of the wilds…because if
winning isn’t everything, why do they keep score?
Let
the games begin…are you ready for some trees?
