BEAT THE MOUNT

Since 1942, Cardinal Hayes and Mount St. Michael have locked horns every Thanksgiving morning at 10 am, etching a tradition known as the Turkey Bowl into the Bronx's sports lore. In this gridiron showdown, these two high schools vie not only for the coveted Turkey Bowl trophy but for the ultimate prize: bragging rights. However, when the specter of the COVID-19 pandemic loomed large in 2020, the game faced an unprecedented cancellation, disrupting a tradition that had persevered for nearly eight decades. For the senior players, this cancellation marked the abrupt end to an era, a final chance to don their football pads and leave their mark.

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The very heartbeat of the film echoes with the rallying cry coined by Monsignor Victor Pavis, a venerable figure in the Cardinal Hayes faculty: "BEAT THE MOUNT; the rest don't count." This phrase, more than a mantra, is a testament to the unyielding determination and spirit that fuels this storied rivalry. Through Antoine's lens, the documentary becomes not just a chronicle of touchdowns and tackles but a celebration of community, resilience, and the enduring power of sports to transcend even the most challenging times. "BEAT THE MOUNT" stands as a cinematic testament to the importance of tradition, the resilience of the human spirit, and the timeless allure of a rivalry that refuses to be silenced.