CANTON, Ohio — Canton McKinley and Massillon high school football teams battled it out Saturday, keeping their rivalry going strong since its inception in 1894.

Alumni, students, parents and the community filled Tom Benson Hall of Fame stadium.

For some, attending the game is a decades-long tradition. 

“We’ve been doing this for umpteen years," said alumna LeDair Wallace, who went to the game with her high school friend, Ronesha Copeland. "We graduated about 19 years ago and we’ve been supporting McKinley since then, well before then actually, so we’re talking 20 some years, probably 30.” 

The Massillon vs. Mckinley game started in 1894 and since then many players from the two teams have had careers in the National Football League.

Steven Depuy is a proud parent whose son played in the game.

"I want him to stay safe, have fun and enjoy the game,” said Depuy.

On the field, fans get to see where history meets the future.

Copeland expressed her joy in seeing young people appreciate the game.

"You watch them grow up as little kids playing in little league football to now high school. It’s very fun watching these kids play and then maybe we can see them go a little further, maybe college, maybe NFL, you never know,” she said.

The schools are located only eight miles from each other, and even though the rivalry is strong, the game brings the whole community together.

The final score of the game: Massillon 35, McKinley 13.