Traveling Trophies

Columbiana is unique in the world of high school football. While every school has several “rivals” most point to one other school as “The Big Game.” Here at Columbiana we have 3 neighboring schools and communities that we share intense rivalries with in football. The longest running traveling trophy is with East Palestine. A traveling trophy was established in 1954 and for many years the Columbiana vs. East Palestine game was the last one of the year and carried with it huge significance. The trophy is unusual in that it goes to the winner of not just football but also boys basketball. The trophy is literally contested for 3 times a year. In the 1970’s, East Palestine withdrew from what was then the Tri County League and the rivalry took a back seat to the community to our west- Leetonia. The Knights of Columbus established a traveling trophy for just football in 1973 and for 20 years it became “The Game.” Early in the 1990’s, Crestview and Columbiana both became members of the Tri County League and at about the same time Crestview went from a down and out program to becoming one of the more dominate football programs in the area. Established in 1991 this game and the traveling trophy that went to the winner quickly rose to the status of “The Game.” However, 2016 marked the end of the rivalry. The ITCL broke up and even though the Rebels had a 2-1 lead in the possession of the trophy, Crestview declined to play as they had other commitments and the new Columbiana schedules was full. The remaining two trophies remain the focus of the Clipper football program and present a unique set of hard fought contests each year until 2016 . SADLY in 2025 the last contest with Leetiona was played. (Columbiana won 35-0, Columbian lead the series 34 to 14) Leetonia left the EOAC and ended relastionships with schools that dated back to the 1940’s