When historians look back on the 1939 Herkimer-Ilion high school football classic, to be played next Saturday at Ilion, they probably will remember, not the score, but the occasion when everybody "rolled out the barrel, and had a barrel of fun."

It was learned today that pupils of the local high school, who have been bringing to bear all the enthusiasm of youth to get permission to play the rollicking tune on the football field, have won their point.

Ilion high adopted the tune, accompanied by special words written by F. Fay Swift, as a new "fighting song" ten days ago. As a result, Ilion cheer leaders sang the school to their second touchdown in two years against Little Falls last Saturday and today hope to use the melodious ammunition to win their first victory in 14 games against Carthage.

Ilion Football Field Flooded From Hydrant

As reported in
"The Evening Telegram"
November 11, 1939

Ilion---Influence of the European war situation on football fans---identity not established---came near causing this afternoon's Herkimer-Ilion annual classic being played by boys in rowboats.

Somebody, who probably had been reading how Holland hopes to hold back Hitler by flooding the lowlands, tried in the same manner to stem Herkimer's Red Avalanche by opening a fire hydrant on the 40 yard line and letting the water pour on the gridiron for 45 minutes. That, plus Jupe Pluvius' handiwork, assured some slippery going.

Neighbors finally called police and they hurried to the scene and shut off the gushing torrent, but not before one end of the field was a swamp. Fortunately a majority of the water ran off the field. Today school officials were utilizing sawdust in an effort to dry out some of the deeper puddles.

The flood control effort in reverse followed a pep meeting in front of the high school. Principal Guy Prindle said this morning he had no idea who the culprits might be. Coach Elmer Morgan, hearing that his Magicians would need bathing suits, drove to Ilion and inspected the field. He said later that while it was pocked with water holes the game could be played. He said Jupe Pluvius had done more dammage than the hydrant.

The game was scheduled to begin at 2 but no record attendance was forecast.

Charlie Fake, Bob Stokes and Capt. Dick Morris Ilion Standouts. As reported in "The Evening Telegram" November 13, 1939

Ilion---Herkimer high's alert opportunists capitalized on two Ilion misplays for touchdowns and added a third on a sustained march of 80 yards, to overcome a courageous and inspired Ilion high eleven, 18-0, here Saturday in the 22nd renewal of the traditional series.

The triumph completed the fifth and unbeaten season in 20 years for the gridiron forces of Coach Elmer Morgan and marked the fourth straight victory over the Type Towners for the Magicians.