Central and Northeast high schools added another chapter to a storied Philadelphia sports tradition Thursday, meeting on the football field for the 126th time in what many consider the oldest public high school rivalry in the country.

Alumni packed the stands as the longtime rivals clashed in a game that stayed tight into the fourth quarter. Central ultimately sealed a 22–14 victory with a late pick six, marking the school's first win over Northeast in more than a decade.

"It means everything," said Northeast alum Pete Ciarrocchi. "It's the oldest high school rivalry publicly in the country."

Central alum Nicholas said, "When you have a tradition that dates back to 1896, between two schools, that's awesome."

Central head coach Rich Dayton said the emotional finish captured everything t

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