The first Diamond Jubilee football game between Marquette and Negaunee high schools took place in 1969.

That year, 1969, marked the 75th anniversary of the first contest between the schools in what is believed to be the oldest football rivalry in the Upper Peninsula.

The Mining Journal purchased the trophy to commemorate the anniversary. That first trophy went to Marquette, who took a 14-6 victory.

In 1995, Tom Pellow, longtime Mining Journal sports editor, put together a booklet on the history of Negaunee sports. In that publication, he said the teams met for the first time in 1894 on a field at the east end of Main Street in Negaunee.

Pellow’s research said the teams played twice that year, with Negaunee claiming victory in both, although scores were not available.

Now, 120 years later, the teams will clash again, this time at 7:30 tonight at William R. Hart Stadium in Marquette. In addition to bragging rights, the winning team will bring home the Diamond Jubilee Trophy.

Last year, the Miners of Negaunee won, 38-14. This year, MSHS (6-1) already has qualified for a playoff spot, while Negaunee (4-3) is still in the hunt for that status.

And this year, the game also is Homecoming for the Redmen.

In all, those elements sound like a dandy formula for a great football game. We hope the stands are packed with a large group wearing red and white and an equally huge contingent sporting maize and blue.

Good luck to both teams as a big rivalry has another page written.