The City Championship trophy has become a symbol of pride for local high schools in the Johnstown area, and it was prominently displayed at Bishop McCort Catholic High School during the offseason. On Wednesday, the trophy made its way back to Thomas Automotive on Eisenhower Boulevard for a luncheon marking the launch of the second year of this rebranded rivalry series. The participating schools include Bishop McCort Catholic, Greater Johnstown, Richland, and Westmont Hilltop.
Coach Tom Smith of the Richland Rams expressed his excitement about defending their title, having won the trophy last year after an impressive 3-0 performance in the 2025 series. “Winning it last year was awesome for us,” Smith remarked. “But it’s a new year now. We held that trophy in our school for a couple of months. You’d walk in the door and everyone could see it. Now, it goes to whoever wins this year’s series. We’re looking forward to the competition and the opportunity to try to win it again.”
The rivalry among these schools extends beyond the current sponsorship. Ken Salem, a former Bishop McCort coach and now affiliated with Thomas Automotive, played a crucial role in establishing the sponsorship that has revitalized this long-standing competition. Salem addressed the coaches and players at the luncheon, emphasizing the importance of the trophy in fostering community spirit and competition.
Arnold Mugerwa, a standout receiver and defensive back from Richland and a Rutgers University commit, shared his thoughts on the significance of the trophy. “I’m glad we have a trophy now for the series even though we always had a rivalry going,” he said. “It means a lot to be able to put on for the city and to be competing for that trophy.” Richland boasts an impressive 22-1 record in the series since 2018, with their only defeat coming against Bishop McCort-Carroll Catholic in a thrilling match at Sargent’s Stadium on September 11, 2025.
The Crimson Crushers' victory last year allowed Bishop McCort to secure the series title after a subsequent win over Westmont Hilltop. The team showcased their dominance with a staggering 128-18 scoring margin throughout the 2025 series. Quarterback and defensive back Bentley Bainey expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming competition, stating, “It’s really fun to have so many schools that are so competitive and so close. You get to play against your friends, but on the field, you lock in.”
Westmont Hilltop's Landen Valente echoed similar sentiments, noting the camaraderie and competitiveness among the schools. “It’s awesome to be a part of this,” Valente said. “Everyone’s close in these schools. Everyone knows each other. You get good rivalries with your friends. You get to battle. You’re not 'friends' on the field, and it’s just fun to compete.”
The history of these matchups has been rich, with Richland winning the City Championship series ten times since 2001, while Bishop McCort claimed its eighth title in 2025. Greater Johnstown has six championships, and Westmont Hilltop has two. The Hilltoppers and Richland shared the title in 2020 after both teams went undefeated in the series.
As the series approaches, the anticipation grows. Richland is set to face Westmont Hilltop on September 10 to kick off this year's competition. Coach Brandon Bailey of Richland highlighted the excitement of the upcoming games, referring to them as “Thursday night lights.” The series will continue with several key matchups, including Bishop McCort at Richland on September 18 and Greater Johnstown at Westmont Hilltop on September 25.
Greater Johnstown's coach, Tony Penna Jr., reflected on the significance of the rivalries, stating, “Even when it was unofficial, it was always bragging rights. We’d tell our players, ‘You don’t want to bump into these guys in the mall and not have gotten the best of each other.’” As the teams prepare to battle for the trophy, the spirit of competition and camaraderie remains at the forefront of this cherished tradition.
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