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Photo Courtesy of Eagles Nation on X. Photo Courtesy of Eagles Nation on X.
Nestled at the heart of Abington Township is the intersection of Susquehanna Street Road and Old York Road. It’s served for hundreds of year as one of the main thoroughfares north from Philadelphia for travelers and stagecoaches alike. But the intersection once identified by Thomas Holme himself — who helped to design Philadelphia — is historic for a few other reasons.
The intersection and cemetery across the street was the scene of a Revolutionary War action some 250 years ago. The British Army — moving up from Philadelphia along Old York Road — was engaged by American forces from behind the cemetery walls.
A stones throw from that intersection is Abington’s Memorial Field — which has some history of its own. If you visit it today — what you’ll see is the result of a lease agreement with Abington Penn State since — which invested over $4 million dollars of renovations since 2014. Memorial Field is the home of Penn State Abington sports such as lacrosse, softball, and soccer — among other sports.
For just over one hundred and ten years since 1915 — that very same Memorial Field was the site of one of the oldest high school football rivalries in the Pennsylvania suburbs. Cheltenham vs Abington football has been anticipated by the community since 1915 at Memorial Field.
This month — Cheltenham High School cancelled both its upcoming varsity and JV seasons for the Fall 2026 season. Stemming from an investigation of a hazing incident last year — the end of the 2025 season had also previously been cancelled. With both internal and external investigations incomplete — the decision was made not to move forward with any 2026 games.
In 2024 — the Abington and Cheltenham game was cancelled. Back in 2023, Police responded when a firearm was discovered at the one hundred and eighth contest between Abington and Cheltenham Football Game.
For both schools — both the loss of the 2026 season and also the rivalry game isn’t just any loss — it’s a loss of history.
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