Milk Can Game (high school football)

The Milk Can Game is a well-known annual football game held between North Hunterdon High School and Voorhees High School, two public high schools in Hunterdon County, New Jersey. The game is always the last of the season and usually takes place right before Thanksgiving. After the conclusion of the game, a gold colored milk can is awarded to the winner. This school receives bragging rights and ownership of the can until the next year's game.

History

A newspaper writer once came up with the idea for the trophy to pay tribute to the area's farming heritage. Soon after, the can was painted in 18-karat gold and the lid was painted green and cardinal (North and Voorhees respective school colors).

Games

Through the 2008 game, the record is set at 21-11-1 in favor of North Hunterdon. North won the first game in 1976 with a score of 31-8. The following year, Voorhees was victorious with a score of 13-12.

This 32nd Milk Can Game was held on Friday, November 16, 2007 at Voorhees, with North Hunterdon winning 24-14.

The 33rd Milk Can Game was held on Friday, November 21, 2008 at North Hunterdon, with North Hunterdon winning 28-6.

Results

Year

North Score

Voorhees Score

Winner

Series Standings

1976

31

8

North Hunterdon

1-0-0

1977

12

13

Voorhees

1-1-0

1978

21

7

North Hunterdon

2-1-0

1979

26

3

North Hunterdon

3-1-0

1980

15

48

Voorhees

3-2-0

1981

13

27

Voorhees

3-3-0

1982

7

8

Voorhees

3-4-0

1983

21

13

North Hunterdon

4-4-0

1984

28

14

North Hunterdon

5-4-0

1985

27

6

North Hunterdon

6-4-0

1986

10

6

North Hunterdon

7-4-0

1987

3

3

Tie

7-4-1

1988

24

13

North Hunterdon

8-4-1

1989

35

14

North Hunterdon

9-4-1

1990

0

27

Voorhees

9-5-1

1991

0

26

Voorhees

9-6-1

1992

28

0

North Hunterdon

10-6-1

1993

45

0

North Hunterdon

11-6-1

1994

28

21

North Hunterdon

12-6-1

1995

15

62

Voorhees

12-7-1

1996

46

23

North Hunterdon

13-7-1

1997

41

40

North Hunterdon

14-7-1

1998

15

26

Voorhees

14-8-1

1999

35

7

North Hunterdon

15-8-1

2000

45

28

North Hunterdon

16-8-1

2001

24

6

North Hunterdon

17-8-1

2002

24

0

North Hunterdon

18-8-1

2003

14

16

Voorhees

18-9-1

2004

21

12

North Hunterdon

19-9-1

2005

0

21

Voorhees

19-10-1

2006

13

21

Voorhees

19-11-1

2007

24

14

North Hunterdon

20-11-1

2008

28

6

North Hunterdon

21-11-1

More "Can" Facts

•When North wins, the can is displayed in Tony's Barber Shop in Clinton
•When Voorhees wins, the can is proudly displayed in a trophy case within the school.
•The Freshman game is termed the "Milk Bottle Game"
•The JV game is termed the "Milk Jug Game"

See also

  • American football
  • High school football
  • List of high school football rivalries (less than 100 years old)