Citizens of Nederland late Wednesday circulated a petition on Facebook to have the Bum Philips trophy presented on the field following the Nederland-Port Neches Groves game Friday.

The petition was created on ThePetitionSite.com under “Presentation of MCM Trophy.”

In a letter published by the Port Arthur News on Tuesday, Port Neches-Groves ISD Superintendent Mike Gonzales said the school board decided to have the trophy presentation take place the following week to ensure the safety of the students and fans at the game.

“Safety of all who attend and participate in ‘Mid County Madness’ is, and should be, top priority for school administrations,” the letter reads.

The letter stated the trophy would still be at the game.

The announcement has not sat well with some fans on both sides of the rivalry.

Susan Bean, who was waiting in line Wednesday for tickets that would go on sale Thursday morning, said she did not like the decision.

“I’m not thrilled about it,” she said. “I think whoever wins should be able to celebrate the victory with the trophy. It’s for the kids. They deserve the right to lift that trophy.”

Chase Mann was also lined up for tickets and said he thought the decision robbed the competitors.

“You have these kids out here that played their hearts out for it,” Mann said.

Bean said the team can’t recreate the atmosphere for the trophy presentation that would be at the game.

“Families want to be able to take pictures of their kids in their jerseys after the game with the trophy,” she said.

The petition, which was created by Barbara Edington, calls for the district to find a solution to allow the students to enjoy the trophy presentation at the game — safely.

“Our solution would be to only allow the football teams and coaches on the field after the game and during the ceremony,” the petition reads. “While all student organizations participated in the support of both football (Port Neches-Groves and Nederland) programs, as a way to compromise, they would understand that, in this instance, only coaches and players be on the field after the game.”

In an email to the Port Arthur News, Nederland Superintendent Robin Perez said, “It will be easier to let each district decide how the presentation of the Bum Phillips trophy will be conducted.”

Late Thursday, the petition had 23 signatures and a goal of 1,000.