Army-Navy Football

Army-Navy Football Plans a Great 125th Game

Kevin Sweeney
Army-Navy will play a football game at 3 pm on December 14 at Northwest Stadium, where the Commanders play, in Washington, DC. The game signifies the end of the regular college football season and might be the best rivalry in all sports.
This year, the Army team from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, will wear uniforms honoring the 101st Airborne Division. However, the Navy team from the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, will wear uniforms honoring the Jolly Rogers.
The Jolly Rogers, established in 1952, is Strike Fighter Squadron 103, flying F 18A Super Hornets from Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia. This Year’s edition of the Army-Navy game will decide the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy, which is named for The President of the United States and is presented to the football team with the best record among the three service Academies (these two plus the United States Air Force Academy).

Why is the Army-Navy Game Such A Great Rivalry

There are several reasons why the Army-Navy game is a great rivalry. First, virtually none of these football players will become professional football players in the National Football League. Instead, they will go professional in defending the nation. All players on the field will lay down their lives for our freedom. In this cynical world, that is special.

Second, as a rivalry, this game is expected to be close and hard-fought. The Army and Navy teams do not like each other, which will show up on the field. There is also an off-field rivalry at play. Both student bodies aim to steal the mascot of the other school.

Third, after the game, both teams sing both school’s fight songs. This never happens in other games, but it occurs here. Both teams oppose each other on the football field, but they are really on the same team. Fourth, a great deal of tradition goes along with this game. The television broadcast shows clips of the armed forces from all over the world. The teams are playing for their Services. Nevertheless, the best tradition in the Army-Navy game is the march on.

The March On

The march on happens before every game a service Academy plays. But, when Service Academies play each other, you get a double walk on. The Service Academy walk-on occurs when the entire student body of the Service Academy marches onto the field in formation before the game. Then they take their seats.

Army runs all over Tulane to capture AAC title
Dec 6, 2024; West Point, NY, USA; Army Black Knights quarterback Bryson Daily (13) carries the ball against the Tulane Green Wave during the first half at Michie Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-Imagn Images

Army-Navy Game Expectations

It is wise in this Army-Navy game to expect a close contest. Thirteen points were decided during the last three meetings of these schools. In this game, both teams are heading to Bowl games. The Army is the nationally ranked American Athletic Conference Champion and 11-1. They will play Marshall University in the Independence Bowl.

The Naval Academy also has a good football team. They finished in fourth place in the American Athletic Conference. They were 6-2 in conference and 8-3 overall. They will play Oklahoma in the Armed Forces Bowl. This should be a very good game based on the team’s talent.

Who will attend the Army-Navy Game?

One of the best parts of the Army-Navy football game is the assembly of illustrious Attendees, and this year’s game will be no different. President-Elect Donald Trump will attend the game, as will Vice President-Elect JD Vance. Ron DeSantis will also attend, even though he has not been confirmed. There will also be a considerable amount of military leadership in attendance.

Conclusion

The Army-Navy game is drenched in tradition. It is celebrating its one hundred and twenty-fifth playing. The President-Elect and Vice President-Elect will attend the Army-Navy game on December 14 in Washington, DC.  To boot, it will be a good game with two good teams.

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