The rivalry between Easton Area and Phillipsburg high schools is historic and intense.

The hype of Rivalry Week leading up to the big Thanksgiving football game has been blamed by Easton’s superintendent for graffiti found Tuesday morning at Phillipsburg High School.

Phillipsburg parent Jennifer Gregory said her son, a freshman, saw graffiti on the columns in front of the school, on the school sign and the senior rock. Images posted on social media Tuesday show profanity spray painted on signs at the high school.

“I think that as a parent, that the students took this too far,” Gregory said.

Phillipsburg High School graffiti left Nov. 25, 2019. NOTE: This image was altered to remove inappropriate images.Courtesy photo

Phillipsburg High School graffiti left Nov. 25, 2019. NOTE: This image was altered to remove profanity.Courtesy photo

Phillipsburg High School graffiti left Nov. 25, 2019. NOTE: This image was altered to remove profanity.Courtesy photo

Easton Area School District Superintendent David Piperato agreed.

“We are extremely disappointed in the behavior of a handful of students, especially in light of the many outstanding activities that take place this time of year,” Piperato said.

He said administrations for both school districts and local police will track down those responsible and will hold them accountable.

“We have apologized to the Phillipsburg administration and I would like to personally apologize to the Phillipsburg community. We will make this right,” Piperato said.

Phillipsburg schools superintendent Gregory Troxell reminded his community that the actions of a handful of individuals don’t define the Easton community.

“We will NOT let the negative actions of a few ruin the proud, 100+ year actions of many,” Troxell said on Facebook.

Graffiti at Phillipsburg High School on Nov. 26, 2019Tim Wynkoop | lehighvalleylive.com contributor

Graffiti at Phillipsburg High School on Nov. 26, 2019. NOTE: This image was altered to remove profanity.Tim Wynkoop | lehighvalleylive.com contributor

Graffiti and vandalism has cropped up repeatedly in the week leading up to the big game.

In 2016, Phillipsburg students spray painted graffiti all over Easton Area High School. The offenders were forced to pay for the clean-up costs for the spray paint, smeared paint and sprayable string found at the school. Easton Area High School routinely covers up its sign during rivalry week to keep it graffiti-free.

In 2006, a statue of Easton's Red Rover bulldog mascot was stolen from the front of the school. A group of teenagers calling themselves "'Liners Empire" claimed responsibility for the dog-napping.

The statue and its pedestal were spray painted garnet, one of Phillipsburg’s school colors, in 2010 and 2011. Students swiped the statue again in 2012.

A dead cat found at Phillipsburg High School in 2012 is believed to be linked to the rivalry. Suzy Stateliner, the Phillipsburg mascot, is a cat. Signs at Easton Area High School were spray painted in 2011.

The school football teams will play for the 113th time on Thanksgiving at Fisher Field on the campus of Lafayette College in Easton. Both schools have pep rallies and activities this week. Easton hosts its annual bonfire at the high school while Phillipsburg will host a fireworks display.

THE STATEMENT

Below is the full statement from Easton Area School District Superintendent David Piperato on graffiti found at Phillipsburg High School:

Last evening, several EAHS students spray painted graffiti on the outside of Phillipsburg High School. We are extremely disappointed in the behavior of a handful of students, especially in light of the many outstanding activities that take place this time of year. It is unfortunate that the many positive events that happen during the Easton vs P’burg week may be overshadowed by the actions of a few students. The EAHS administration and police are working with the Phillipsburg High School administration to identify the individuals responsible. Rest assured, they will be held accountable for their actions and will make full retribution. We have apologized to the Phillipsburg administration and I would like to personally apologize to the Phillipsburg community. We will make this right.

Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @RudyMillerLV. Find Easton area news on Facebook.