Oct. 8, 2024-- Leigha Cirillo, a 15-year-old district student who inspired many through her remarkable resiliency, passed away late last month. Her memory was alive and well on the evening of Oct. 4, with Friday night lights shining brightly on her spirit.
The prominent colors among those attending the heralded rivalry game between High 乐鱼体育 North and High 乐鱼体育 South wore not those of fans' preferred school and team, but pink to honor Breast Cancer Awareness Month or purple to honor Leigha. A game typically dubbed the "Civil War Game" was instead the "Leigha Cirillo Memorial Game."
Which made the game itself somewhat of an afterthought. The Mariners continued their extended run of dominance, winning 41-0 to move to 6-0 on the season. It was a balanced attack, with quarterback T.J. Valerio throwing for 172 yards, Mordecai Ford rushing for 102 (and adding an interception on defense), and wide receiver Nasir Jackson notching 101 yards in the air (and also contributing on defense, with a scoop-and-score fumble recovery TD).
Despite the loss, South retains a winning record in the Shore - B South at 2-1, and moved to an even 3-3 overall on the season.
The Mariners' win evened up the lifetime series between the two programs at 26-26-1.