By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

ALABASTER – Even when dealing with one of the bitterest high school football rivalries in the state, Pelham Mayor Gary Waters found a way to unite with what could have been a hostile crowd in the Thompson High School gymnasium on Sept. 11.

“We may be from different tribes, but today, on Patriot Day, we are all Americans,” Waters said, sending the THS student body – many of who were decked out in red, white and blue – into a frenzy of cheers and applause.

Waters attended a pep rally at Pelham High School’s biggest rival to present the “Game Ball” trophy to Alabaster Mayor Marty Handlon and THS football players Zach Bicknell, Alijah Steele, Carlos Stephens and Alex Gamble, captains for the PHS-THS game on Aug. 28.

A year after falling to the Panthers, the Thompson Warriors routed their rival this year by a score of 43-13.

The Game Ball trophy, which has been passed between the two cities for about 25 years, is made of materials significant to both cities’ history.

The base of the trophy is a block of heart pine timber taken from the floor of the old Pelham School, which was located where the Pelham City Hall currently stands.

Small golden plaques depicting the score of many of the games are attached to the sides of the wooden block.

Attached to the top of the block is a bronzed football tee the Warriors used during their 1980 state championship game. On the tee is a bronzed Panther football used during one of the first THS-PHS games.

On each side of the game ball are wooden spindles used at the old Buck Creek cotton mill in Alabaster. Tiny eagles crafted by a local trophy shop are perched atop each spindle.

During the pep rally, Handlon said the trophy is returning to its “rightful home” at Alabaster City Hall.

“I didn’t get here as early as I would have liked today, because I had to pull over and cry just a little bit,” Waters said while joking with the THS students. “Today is not my best day, but congratulations to you.”