New Bedford and GNB Voc-Tech renew rivalry in football after 45 years
For the first time in 45 years, New Bedford High and GNB Voc-Tech will square off on the gridiron as the Whalers will host the Bears at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 11 to kick off the 2026 season for both teams.
“I think it’s great for the city,” said GNB Voc-Tech head coach Matt Silva, who is in his second year at the helm. “I know the kids in school are talking about it and even the faculty. I think in general it’s a good Friday night football game. I think it’s good for the SouthCoast. We’re excited and the kids are excited.”
The last time the two intracity schools faced each other in football, GNB Voc-Tech won 22-0 in 1981.
“That’s a long time,” said New Bedford High second-year head coach Bob Lomp. “It should be exciting.”
GNB Voc-Tech junior wideout/safety Evan Monteiro said he’s been counting down the days to the game.
“I can’t wait,” he said. “It’s the biggest game of the season. It means so much. My parents went to New Bedford. I’m excited to play New Bedford High. I grew up with those kids. I love it.”
New Bedford High senior fullback/middle linebacker Logan Desmarais agreed, saying, “Our most important game right now is Voke, our crosstown rival. It’s great. We get to play against some people that we know. It’s great to play people we know and try to compete.”
Both New Bedford High and GNB Voc-Tech are looking to turn their football programs around after combining for just one win in 2025.
“We just want to show people we’re not just here,” Desmarais said. “We want to actually play football and win games. We want to show people we are more than what we were last year.”
Watch SouthCoast high school football on the NFHS Network
New Bedford High senior two-way lineman Congo Hepburn said that there is a lot on the line for both squads on Friday night.
“It means a lot to us,” he said. “For the winner, you get the keys to the city. It’ll show who is the better high school.”
With the game falling on the 25th anniversary of 9/11, the teams will honor first responders throughout the night. There will be free admission to all first responders.
GNB Voc-Tech at New Bedford
When: Friday, Sept. 11
Where: Paul F. Walsh Field
Pregame: Touch a Truck, 6:15 p.m.
Kickoff: Coin toss by honorary captains, 7 p.m.
Halftime: Acknowledgement of New Bedford’s Heroes
This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: New Bedford and GNB Voc-Tech renew rivalry in football after 45 years
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