Middletown to Celebrate 100 Years of High School Football

By Ray Veth

It was in 1919 that Middletown Township High School embarked on its first year of playing football at the high school level. The pride and tradition that season created still exist today at Middletown High School North, Middletown High School South and Mater Dei Prep.

In honor of this milestone, a celebration of the centennial will be held on Friday, October 25 from 4:45 pm until 6:45 pm in the Wall of Champions area in the gymnasium at Middletown High School North. The event will take place prior to the Mater Dei Prep at Middletown North football game. Included among the attendees will be football players and cheerleaders from as far back as 1943.

Click the slideshow to view vintage photos from Middletown football.

The free, informal gathering is open to all former players and cheerleaders who attended any high school in Middletown. The original school was affectionately known as Leonardo High School before being recognized as Middletown Township High School (MTHS) in the early 1950s. Overcrowding at the school on Tindall Road resulted in the need for two high schools. and in the fall of 1976, the school split and Middletown High School South and Middletown High School North were an outgrowth. Mater Dei High School started playing football in 1963.

The three schools have combined for 14 NJSIAA state championships and 36 Shore Conference division championships.

On display will be vintage photos, football uniforms and memorabilia dating to the 1920s. Guests are also invited to bring their own memorabilia and share it at the gathering.

For more information, please contact Ray Veth – MTHS (732-299-4961 – CasperVeth@aol.com); Jon Scala – MHSN (732-757-2336 – ScalaJ@middletownk12.org), Jennifer Smith – MHSS (SmithJ@middletownk12.org) or Mike Corley – MD (732-948-3207 – Mcorley14@miJack.com).

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