This week in Mountie football history (Nov. 23-29)

Josh Crawford scored the game-tying touchdown in Montclair’s come-from-behind victory over Bloomfield this week in 2016.

FOUR YEARS AGO (Nov. 24, 2016): In the final Thanksgiving Day game to be played at Woodman Field, the Mounties storm back from a 10-point deficit with 17 fourth-quarter points to knock off rival Bloomfield, 30-23. The Bengals take a 23-13 lead with a minute to play in the third quarter, but Montclair responds with a field goal from Harry Wylie early in the fourth, and a game-tying 12-yard TD run from sophomore RB Josh Crawford with 7:12 to play. Junior RB Danny Webb caps a 240-yard day with the go-ahead touchdown run, a 12-yarder, with 3:30 remaining.

SEVEN YEARS AGO (Nov. 23 and 28, 2013): The 2013 Mounties would go on to finish undefeated and win a state title, but they faced their only two truly competitive games in a five-day span.

On the Saturday prior to Thanksgiving, the Mounties overcome Union City in a wild NJSIAA North 1, Group V semifinal at Woodman Field, 40-35. The Soaring Eagles score touchdowns on 96- and 99-yard kickoff returns and a 99-yard interception return, but a relentless Montclair running game led by junior QB Elijah Robinson (228 yards, 2 TD) and Shaquan Oliver (119 yards, 1 TD), and a tremendous all-around performance from kicker/wide receiver Will Kline (two field goals, including a 52-yarder, and a touchdown run) keeps the Mounties out in front. Then, with Union City driving for the winning score late in the fourth quarter, DeAndre Smith’s tackle behind the line of scrimmage on a 4th-and-2 seals the win.

Five days later, the Mounties trail a 2-7 Bloomfield team at halftime on Turkey Day, only for Robinson to carry them to victory. The junior QB rushes for 238 yards and three touchdowns, including the go-ahead 16-yarder two minutes after halftime, as Montclair hangs on for a 21-16 win.

THIRTY-EIGHT YEARS AGO (Nov. 25, 1982): Montclair erases a 13-0 deficit on a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns by running back Boo Overbey and a pair of PAT kicks by Ben Brennan, as the Mounties edge Passaic, 14-13, in an all-time classic before 10,000 fans at Woodman Field. The win gives MHS the NNJIL-Passaic/Essex division championship, and earns a measure of bragging rights against a terrific Passaic team led by future NFL star Craig “Ironhead” Heyward.

FORTY-FOUR YEARS YEARS AGO (Nov. 25, 1976): A 54-year tradition comes to an end as Montclair edges Bloomfield, 7-6, in the final game of the original Thanksgiving Day series at Woodman Field. Mark Tyree’s 8-yard touchdown catch from QB J.R. D’Alessandro provides the winning margin for Montclair, which closes out the original series, one of Essex County football’s grandest traditions, with a 33-21-1 advantage. The ancient rivals won’t meet again until 1982, but they will go on to renew their Thanksgiving week rivalry each year from 1992 to 2017.

FIFTY-FIVE YEARS AGO (Nov. 25, 1965): In one of the most exciting Thanksgiving Day games ever played at Foley Field in Bloomfield, 10,000 fans witness Montclair rally late in the fourth quarter to top Bloomfield, 14-13, on Lenny Coleman’s 34-yard touchdown pass from Craig Moore with 3:40 remaining. Placekicker “Trusty” Rusty Garthwaite boots the go-ahead PAT. Garvey Craw runs for 120 yards to lead the Mountie offense.

SIXTY-SEVEN YEARS AGO (Nov. 26, 1953): Due to injuries he suffered in 1951 and 1952, Mountie legend Aubrey Lewis was only able to play against Bloomfield on Thanksgiving one time, and he made it count. Lewis, the senior halfback/defensive back, scored all three Mountie touchdowns, including a 65-yard interception return, as MHS knocked off the Bengals, 20-7. Lewis’ third touchdown of the day was the 42nd and final touchdown of his storied 25-game career, at that point a school record.

SEVENTY-SEVEN YEARS AGO (Nov. 25, 1943): Jim McGurk runs for three touchdowns and throws a fourth, while Bob Iliff runs for 138 yards and 2 TDs and throws another scoring pass, as Montclair blows out Bloomfield, 46-0, before a sellout crowd at Foley Field in Bloomfield. The win gives Montclair its first unbeaten season in program history and its second statewide No. 1 ranking in three years. The 46-point margin is the worst loss suffered by Bloomfield’s Hall of Fame coach, Bill Foley; the Mounties would break that record three years later with a 58-0 win.