When the Avon Eagles took the football field against the Avon Lake Shoremen on Sept. 4 at Joe Firment Chevrolet Stadium in Avon, it was the first match up for the two schools as members of the Southwestern Conference. It was also the first time it was called the Battle for the Silver Rail Trophy.
(L to R) Nori Okuma, Avon Lake Athletic Director; Dave Dlugosz, head football coach Avon Lake; Mike Elder, head football coach Avon and Erich Frombach, Avon athletic director, show off the Silver Rail trophy.
The month before in August, the Lions Club invited Avon Coach Mike Elder and Avon Lake Coach Dave Dlugosz to give a preview of the upcoming season at the American Legion. Fans from both towns were in attendance to witness the rebirth of a trophy to celebrate the rivalry between the schools. The trophy, created and donated by the Avon Lions is called the “Silver Rail,” to represent the line between the two communities divided by railroad tracks. The winner of the annual game between the two football teams will have the honor of keeping the trophy in the school’s trophy case, and bragging rights, until the next game the following year. The trophy has ample space to have the winners names mounted on the trophy for years to come.
The rivalry between the schools dates back to the 1930’s. The teams played each other 26 times from 1939-1960 with Avon Lake winning the majority of the games. The teams did not meet again until 2007, when they met at Browns Stadium in front of nearly 15,000 spectators.
At the preview meeting, Coach Dlugosz said “the rivalry and the competition between the two schools are positive things for both schools’ sport programs.” The preview event was well attended and due to the generosity of the Legion donating pizza and pop, the Lions Club was able to raise $400 for Community
Resource Services.
At the game on September 4th, the Avon Lions assisted CRS in collecting additional canned food and monetary donations from fans of both towns. 
The Lions presented their $400 donation check to CRS at half-time. The game ended with Avon the victor of the first battle of the Silver Rail. The trophy was presented to the Eagles at mid-field by Paul Johnson and Doug Wetzig of the Avon Lions.
Good luck to both teams as the season continues!