By Christopher Shaban
EAGLE TIMES STAFF
CLAREMONT — The best rivalry in New Hampshire takes center stage at Barnes Park on Saturday night as the 50th annual Bernard Cup will see Stevens and Fall Mountain go toe-to-toe.
If you were cooking a soccer stew and added some Wildcat tenacity some Cardinal pride, sprinkle in some St. Mary tradition, stir it with two storied soccer programs and a fan base second to none, you would end up with ‘The Game” and everything special about this area.
“Holding that cup is the greatest feeling in the world. It means so much,” said two-time participant Kevin Bonneau (‘85 and ‘86). “Respect for the Bernard family and playing against Fall Mountain, it just doesn’t get any better.”
This year is special not only because it represents the 50th match-up but pits two coaches that know first hand what it means to play in this game as they faced each other not once but twice on the field.
“The respect for this game and our opponent is immeasurable. It means more than you know,” said Fall Mountain head coach and three-time participant Justin Parrott (‘91, ‘92, ‘93). Parrott will look across at a familiar foe with Stevens coach Jason Stone (‘92, ‘93).
“We look forward to this game every year and especially this year,” Stone said. “We’ve been planning for this for four years. It is by far the biggest game of the year for us.”
You can throw out any records for this game as the series is a remarkable 23-23 with three ties which began with Fall Mountain coach Phil St. Pierre and Stevens coach Les Green in 1972.
There are names associated with this game like Steve Lawrence, Louis Brooks, Phil Shand, Nick Marro, Don White, Leo Lawrence, Nick Roy and so many more that have stepped on the pitch. The list could go on for pages.
“It’s impossible to name one memory,” Tim St. Pierre said. “All I can say is that it’s the greatest honor to play in this game to represent your school, your community, and pay respect to the Bernards.”
Former Stevens coach Chuck Ferland has a perspective that few others have for this game. Ferland played in the first game held back in 1972 then had his son Gabe play years later. The elder Ferland eventually coached the Cardinals to a win in 2008 and today his grandson plays for the Cardinals.
“This is just a pleasure to be a part of,” Ferland said. “The Bernard family is like no other. You will not find better people anywhere. The respect and meaning for this game is like nothing else.”
After the 2008 Stevens win, the team was met at the city line with fire trucks and police cars as a parade wound through the city after winning the cup in Langdon.
“I remember that game very well,” said current Stevens girls coach T. St. Pierre, an assistant to Ferland and the Fall Mountain goalie in ‘85, ‘86, ‘87, and ‘88, who has been involved in a remarkable 24 Bernard cups as a player and coach. “This game is as popular as ever and it is an unmatched tradition in the entire state.”
Not only does this game have tremendous meaning to those who played over the past 50 years but today’s players feel the exact same. This years senior’s including Copper Moote, Brayden Ping, Dylan Chambers, Willem Bellows and so many more already understand what this game means.
“To represent the Bernard family in this game is very emotional,” said Stevens midfielder Chambers. “They are very close to all of us.”
“This game is so competitive it’s hard to put into words” Parrott said. “It hasn’t changed one bit from when I played to today. It means so much to everyone and the respect around this game runs deep at Fall Mountain. We will be ready to go.”
“This is a game like no other,” said Ray Bernard, who has been involved with area soccer his entire life with deep ties to both schools. “It sounds like thunder when players collide and strike the ball. It’s just so special.”
During halftime, all former players will be invited to gather at midfield to recognize the over 1,000 players that have participated in this game.
The game will take place at Barnes Park where it was held for many years before the new field at Monadnock park was opened in 2010. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
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