Catasauqua’s Mike Rieker remembered the 1972 game like it was yesterday.

In fact, it was 52 years ago, and one of the classic games in the 101-year history of the Thanksgiving Day tilt between Catasauqua and Northampton.

At the time, there was plenty at stake for both teams.

In the old Lehigh Valley League, both Catasauqua, Northampton, Emmaus, and Whitehall all had 8-1 records, and Emmaus and Whitehall met later in the day for their annual clash.

Northampton came into the game with three straight victories.

“It was a special game,” recalled Rieker, the Rough Riders’ quarterback who threw for 1,433 yards that season and later led Lehigh to a national championship. “The Lehigh Valley league was very competitive at the time.

“There was a lot on the line for both teams, and the game was a big deal.”

Rieker noted that the game was played in Catasauqua, and approximately 10,000 fans attended the game.

“No one was turned away,” he said. “The lines around the field and the track were five or six deep. It was just a sea of people.

“It was a cold day, and the field was like playing on concrete because it had rained the week before and then a cold front come in. There was a plane from ABE (airport) that flew over and took pictures of the game. It was a neat atmosphere, and the game was for all the marbles.”

In the game, both teams battled and exchanged scores until Northampton’s John Itterly broke a punt return for the 14-7, go-ahead score. Rieker rallied his team down the field for a score, but the Roughies missed the game-winning, two-point conversion, and lost the game, 14-13.

“That was a tough loss,” noted Rieker. “We threw a lot, and it was hard to catch it because it was so cold. The game was tooth-and nail throughout. Overall, it was a great game, and Northampton won the league.

“Whitehall and Emmaus ended up in a tie game.”

At the time, there was some real tension between the two teams, and Rieker talked about the trash talking after nearly every play.

“There was some animosity at the time, but the coaches controlled it,” said Rieker. “There wasn’t anything crazy like there is today. But the talking you heard under the pile you couldn’t repeat.”

With a successful career at Lehigh where he threw 40 touchdowns as well as a coaching stop at Catty in the 1990s, Rieker will always remember the bonds he made on the field as a Roughie.

“I remember going to the games as a kid and someday thinking that I could play in the game,” said Rieker, who now resides in Fort Myers, Florida. “There are a lot of memories and friendships from Catty and Northampton guys over the years.

“It was a fun time in my life. I remember every guy on our offense and defense. I cherish my time playing at Catty, and it was a great experience. I still have a lot of good friends through the years, and we still reminisce about the game.”