Last Updated on August 19, 2016 by cassnetwork
When Logansport and Peru tee it up for a kickoff at Peru High School Aug. 19, it will mark the 113th game in their “backyard” rivalry.
It also marks the longest rivalry in Indiana high school football. That distinction will take on a bit more significance this year and every year forward with the introduction of a trophy to the rivalry this season, the 75th consecutive year the game has been played.
The award will be named The Baldini Trophy, recognizing the career of Don Baldini, who grew up in Peru and later became the winningest coach in Logansport history.
The 77-year- old Baldini recalls growing up in Peru in the 1960s and playing football with his cousins there on Sunday afternoons. At one point, a Peru- Logansport game played in Peru back then included six of his cousins on the combined rosters.
Many outstanding players participated in Peru-Logansport games over the years including Brandon Jones and John Buffington, Peru backs who went on to play for Purdue, and Jason Spear and Austin Starr, a running back and kicker from Logansport who went on to play at Indiana.
Baldini became head coach at Logansport in 1977 and went on to win 91 games.
That represents more than 20 percent of Logansport’s all-time victory total, and his nine winning seasons represent 20 percent of Logansport’s winning seasons. He is one of only five LHS football coaches with at least 10 wins to have a winning career mark.
Peru Mayor Gabriel Greer and Logansport Mayor Dave Kitchell agreed earlier this month to establish the award. The Berries have 57 wins in the series to Peru’s 50 victories. There have been five ties, including two 0-0 ties that are among the 40 shutouts in the series. While there have been some lopsided wins by both schools (Peru’s 58-0 win in 1937 and Logansport’s 55-0 win in 2004), 54 of the games have been decided by just eight points or less. After Logansport won the first three games of the series beginning in 1902, Peru dominated, and went 8-0- 2 in the 1930s. Logansport’s longest win streak was 10 from 2003-2012. The teams have split the last four games.
Greer said the trophy will serve as the football counterpart of the Beaupre Cup.
For several years, it has been awarded to the winner of a golf challenge between the two cities, which are only 16 miles apart.
Kitchell said recognition of the rivalry and Baldini are both overdue.
“Indiana’s bicentennial year is the perfect time to do this. When you realize how many schools were even playing football when this rivalry started, you realize how long it’s been a part of our communities. Don’s accomplishments at a school that has been part of the rugged North Central Conference and his success in it merit his inclusion and induction into the Indiana Football Hall of Fame.”
SOURCE: News release from Logansport Mayor Dave Kitchell