Allen-Dieruff football series is filled with fond memories

FROM KEITH GROLLER

I know that the big games this weekend in the Lehigh Valley Conference are Emmaus-Central Catholic, Nazareth-Northampton and Parkland-Whitehall.

And the Colonial League game between Pen Argyl and Bangor may be bigger than any of the LVC games.

While others play for playoff berths and winning records, Allen and Dieruff play for pride at J. Briney Crum Stadium on Saturday afternoon and the chance for one to finally get to celebrate.

We're not going to get into all of the problems that exist again. Steve Esack's award-winning series last year on Dieruff said it all, and it also could have been about Allen.

I still maintain, and have maintained for several years, that these programs should not be in the Lehigh Valley Conference and those who think it's going to suddenly change and turn around for either of these schools in this sport have no idea of what's really going on in Allentown right now, or any idea of how unlevel the playing field in the LVC is right now.

Other than to say that I admire the kids who continually compete and work hard, knowing that they're likely to lose and lose badly every Friday or Saturday night, there's really nothing to add to a subject that saddens me and, frankly, a lot of people with Allentown roots.

But the Allen-Dieruff game was once very special to me and to this city.

For a stretch of about 30-35 years, I didn't miss a game as a fan, a student, or a reporter.

I have many special memories of Thanksgiving Day games and pep rallies and bonfires and the holiday feeling in the building on game day.

There were great victories and heartbreaking losses on both sides over the years. Many of these games were special events that captivated the city; especially those back-to-back meetings for league and district titles in 1992 when Allentown was the center of the local football universe.

Hopefully, the kids playing on Saturday can feel some of the magic and experience the best part of the Allen-Dieruff rivalry and get a sense of how good Allentown sports can be:

Here are some series facts:

Overall series: Allen leads 29-24.

By decade

1950s -- Allen 1-0

1960s -- Allen 7-3

1970s -- Dieruff 7-3

1980s -- Tied, 5-5

1990s -- Allen 7-4

2000s -- Allen 6-5.

Best Allen streak -- Winning four straight games from second game of 1992-95 and 2003-06.

Best Dieruff streak -- Winning three straight games from 1974-76, 1984-86, and 1996-98.

Allen's largest margin of victory: 38-0 in 2006.

Dieruff's largest margin of victory: 53-0 in 2008. (Note: Dieruff has scored 40 or more points 8 times; Allen has scored 40 or more twice).

Total points scored: Allen 857, Dieruff 977.

And, here's a look at all of the scores of the past games:

1959 -- Allen 13, Dieruff 7

1960 -- Allen 26, Dieruff 20

1961 -- Dieruff 14, Allen 13

1962 -- Allen 7, Dieruff 0

1963 -- Allen 21, Dieruff 6

1964 -- Dieruff 13, Allen 0

1965 -- Allen 14, Dieruff 7

1966 -- Allen 7, Dieruff 6

1967 -- Dieruff 60, Allen 12

1968 -- Allen 30, Dieruff 27

Thanksgiving Games

1969 -- Allen 40, Dieruff 6

1970 -- Dieruff 19, Allen 14

1971 -- Dieruff 45, Allen 6

Back to Friday night games

1972 -- Allen 21, Dieruff 18

1973 -- Allen 34, Dieruff 6

1974 -- Dieruff 36, Allen 0

1975 -- Dieruff 29, Allen 6

1976 -- Dieruff 55, Allen 19

1977 -- Allen 7, Dieruff 0

1978 -- Dieruff 19, Allen 14

1979 -- Dieruff 14, Allen 6

1980 -- Allen 14, Dieruff 0

1981 -- Dieruff 10, Allen 8

1982 -- Allen 27, Dieruff 14.

1983 -- Allen 15, Dieruff 12

1984 -- Dieruff 20, Allen 0

Thanksgiving Games, part II

1985 -- Dieruff 12, Allen 0

1986 -- Dieruff 12, Allen 6

1987 -- Allen 9, Dieruff 7

1988 -- Allen 8, Dieruff 7

1989 -- Dieruff 14, Allen 6

1990 -- Allen 21, Dieruff 0

Back to Week 10 games

1991 -- Allen 22, Dieruff 9

1992 -- Dieruff 32, Allen 27

1992 -- Allen 14, Dieruff 7 (District 11 championship)

1993 -- Allen 26, Dieruff 21

1994 -- Allen 24, Dieruff 15

1995 -- Allen 15, Dieruff 0.

1996 -- Dieruff 42, Allen 6.

1997 -- Dieruff 46, Allen 6

1998 -- Dieruff 45, Allen 20

1999 -- Allen 34, Dieruff 13.

2000 -- Dieruff 28, Allen 21 (overtime)

2001 -- Allen 42, Dieruff 21

2002 -- Dieruff 21, Allen 14

2002 -- Dieruff 52, Allen 20 (Eastern Conference)

2003 -- Allen 28, Dieruff 9

2004 -- Allen 14, Dieruff 0

2005 -- Allen 28, Dieruff 8

2006 -- Allen 38, Dieruff 0

2007 -- Dieruff 32, Allen 0

2008 -- Dieruff 53, Allen 0

2009 -- Allen 34, Dieruff 8.

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