A game like no other, the Army-Navy game is saved for the end of the season for one reason: tradition.
More importantly, it’s a time-honored tradition. From watching the President of the United States switch sides at half time to watching the winning team “sing second”, this game has it all. You won’t see any 5-star athletes or future All-Americans, just young men putting it all on the line for their team, their brothers, and their country.
For the 120th time, the cadets of West Point will take on the Midshipmen of Annapolis in America’s Game. Navy still holds onto a 60-52-7 all-time series lead. Army is currently enjoying a three-game run but the streak could be broken on Saturday.
Army had an unprecedented run in 2018. The Black Knights went 11-2, their first 11 win season in program history. Their only losses came to Duke and Oklahoma, who they took to overtime. 2019 has not been as kind to the cadets. On Septemeber 7, the black knights came into Ann Arbor Michigan with a mission to upset the Wolverines. It almost happened but a late fumble in overtime ruined their plans and they really never recovered from that loss. From October – early November, they lost five games in a row. They have won their last two out of three games, but they will be the underdog Saturday when they line up against Navy.
Navy’s 2018 and 2019 seasons are almost the exact opposite of Army. The sailors only won three games last season and also lost their third straight game to Army. It was quite an unusual year for Navy, but they did have some injuries and it seemed the ball just didn’t bounce their way in a lot of their games. 2019 has been an improvement for the midshipmen. They’re currently 9-2, with their only losses coming from Memphis and Notre Dame. Malcom Perry has had an outstanding season, throwing for 1,027 yards and rushing for 1500 yards. The senior quarterback has been a one-man wrecking machine for Navy and is looking to get one more swing at Army this Saturday.
Army’s dual-threat quarterback – Kelvin Hopkins Jr. has had a less than stellar senior season, throwing for just 570 yards and rushing for 706. Both Army and Navy run a variation of the triple-option, so it’s not surprising that the passing stats are low, but Hopkins threw and rushed for over 1000 in 2018. Hopkins has battled some injuries this season and is currently playing with a leg injury. He may not play Saturday against Navy.
This game may not mean much to the average football fan, but it should. No, it doesn’t have the top-25, compelling matchup like the Iron Bowl or Michigan vs. Ohio St, but the tradition of this game and what it means to those that have served and are currently serving, it gives them a sense of pride. I have been blessed to see this game in person, back in 2011 in D.C. I got to see both Army and Navy’s future officers march in formation into the stadium, and then I saw them chatting with each other before the game. It’ was so real. But once the game started, it was like dynamite hit the field. I can’t remember how many times I was in my seat but it wasn’t often, that’s for sure.
So who will sing second on Saturday? I’m going with NAVY. The midshipmen are the better team and have played like a team on a mission.
America’s game is on this Saturday at 3PM on CBS.
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