Turkey Day High School Football

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

Copyright 2010
High School Football America

Copyright 2010
High School Football America

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving full of family and football!!

Crazy day in the kitchen for me yesterday, so I didn't have a chance to post anything about my favorite high school football day of the year.  Nothing, in my mind, beats watching a high school football game on a cool and crisp Thanksgiving morning.

Last year, in the snow, Trish Hoffman and I spent the morning creating a video on the Battle of the Delaware River game between Easton (Pennsylvania) and Phillipsburg (New Jersey).  Yesterday, Easton beat P'burg 24-8 before 14,000 fans at Lafayette College.  The Red Rovers victory in game #105 in the series, gives Easton a 59-41-5 lead in the overall series.

Yesterday, also marked the first time in three years that I wasn't able to watch a Turkey Day tradition, live and in-person.

In 2009, High School Football America visited Connecticut to watch the battle between the two schools that started it all.  Norwich Free Academy and New London (then the New London Bulkeley Tigers) played America's first-ever high school football game on May 12, 1875; yesterday was the 150th meeting between the two.

New London (9-1) won the sesquicentennial game 37-17, however, NFA still leads the series 73-66-11.





Yesterday, Stonington (Connecticut) and Westerly (Rhode Island) met for the 100th time on Thanksgiving in the country's most played rivalry. Westerly beat Stonington 15-0 before 4,400 fans in the 152nd meeting between the two.

The win prevented Stonington (6-4) from making the Connecticut state playoffs; Westerly (8-2) already won its first round game in the Rhode Island state playoffs last week.  Stonington leads the all-time series 69-66-17.

Finally, there was the grand-daddy of them all...Needham and Wellesley that played for the 124th consecutive Thanksgiving.  It's Turkey Day's oldest continuous rivalry.

Needham (8-3) closed the gap in the all-time series with a 42-18 win that also clinched a playoff berth for the Rockets.  Wellesley (2-9) still leads the series 59-56-9.

Touchdowns and Turkey...an Unbeatable Combination

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

Aside from the first day of practice, Thanksgiving is my favorite day of the high school football season!

I've never forgotten my first high school football game on Thanksgiving. It was back in 1969 when my alma mater, Wilson played Nazareth at Lehigh University's Taylor Stadium. It was a double thrill because it was also the first time I was ever in a college football stadium...and Taylor Stadium was unique with the blast furnace of Bethlehem Steel just a couple of blocks away.

It was a double thrill for another reason.

Wilson and Nazareth played at 10 o'clock in the morning, and as soon as the game ended, we high-tailed it from Bethlehem to Easton to watch Easton and Phillipsburg do battle at Lafayette College. Yes, a football doubleheader followed by a family feast is hard to beat.

Wilson and Nazareth no longer play each other, although there is a movement to revive the game, but Easton and P'burg will play #104 on Thursday. Being part of the Easton/Phillipsburg crowd of 15,000-plus is always exciting, and for the first time since I left the Lehigh Valley in 2000, I'll be back in the Lehigh Valley for the granddaddy of them all.

With High School Football America camera in-hand, I stopped by Easton High School today to check-out the building of the bonfire, which currently stands at about 20-feet tall with more wood coming tomorrow. For those that will be driving on Route 22 tomorrow night without knowledge of Easton/P'burg rivalry, they'll be wondering if the school is on-fire.

This is ONE BIG BONFIRE that is being guarded all-night-long by the Red Rovers' senior class that camps-out in 30-degree temperatures to make sure the woodpile isn't ignited prematurely by their arch-rival fans. Considering the Stateliners faithful already nabbed the Rover statue a couple of weeks ago (it is back in the hands of Easton officials, but not on its pedestal), it's a great idea that the students built a mini "tent city" around the massive pile of wood.



Easton brings a four-game series win streak into the contest. The Red Rovers lead the overall series with 58 wins to P'burg's 40, and there have been fives ties.

How big is this game for the two schools that are only separated by the Delaware River?

After Easton plays its bitter arch-rival, it must turn-around two days later and play Whitehall in a district championship game that sends the winner into the PIAA Class AAAA state tournament...the Rovers WILL NOT rest their starters...this game is too important!

In recent years, both teams have in the same position, and there's NEVER talk about canceling game or anyone playing the JV's. This game is more important than a state championship for either team.

One other note...Easton is 11-1 this season with its only loss this year coming at the hands of Saturday's opponent Whitehall.

Three games in eight days...no problem for either school.  They just strap 'em up and play...and that to me makes Thursday a great day to give thanks for high school football.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!

Jeff

Turkey and High School Football

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Lots of fog in Mystic, Connecticut, but warm…48 degrees!!

Energy levels are high as Trish and I get ready to travel about 25-miles to Norwich for the 148th meeting of Norwich Free Academy and New London. This IS America’s oldest high school football game!

While more schools have bigger Thanksgiving Day tradition, as we were informed last at the bar inside the Hilton hotel we’re staying at. NFA and NL only began playing on Turkey Day in 2000, but it’s hard to look past the fact that these two played the first high school football game on May 12, 1875.

The really point is…there’s nothing better than attending a Thanksgiving morning high school football game!

Yesterday’s pep rally and Powder Puff game at New London were awesome and we really can’t wait to get to the field around 9 to start sending pics and reports on Twitter, that can be checked-out at http://www.twitter.com/fishersports.

After the game, we’re heading to spend the weekend in Newport, Rhode Island and a turkey day dinner at the White Horse Tavern, which was built in 1652!

America’s oldest football game followed by dinner at America’s oldest tavern…talk about things we are thankful for!!

Have a great day everyone, let’s not forget to think of those who are homeless or without family today, plus those serving in the military .

Jeff & Trish

Easton (PA) and Phillipsburg (NJ)...It's a Family Affair

by Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle

In about 48-hours, the communities of Easton (PA) and Phillipsburg (NJ) will turn back the clock and replay the 1993 Thanksgiving Day high school football game that ended in a 7-7 tie. The event, sponsored by Gatorade, has captured the two communities that are separated by the Delaware River in eastern Pennsylvania and western New Jersey.

About 60-players from the 1993 squads have been training for a couple of months for this game that is sold-out to the tune of 13,000 tickets.

The process of getting in-shape has been documented with episodes on the Gatorade Mission G website, and today they released the third installment of the documentary.

I really like this one!! It focuses on the relationship between Easton's Tim Gadwell and Phillipsburg's Tyrone Randolph.

Check it out & enjoy!!



By the way, the game itself can be seen on Service Electric Cable at 8 P.M. Sunday night.

Easton (PA) and Phillipsburg (NJ) 1993 Part Deux!!

By Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle

Gatorade is hoping to break a 15-year old tie between Easton (PA) and Phillipsburg (NJ). According to a report in the Express-Times, Gatorade has asked the schools if they can find 25-to-30 alumni players each from the November 25, 1993 game that ended in a 7-7 tie. According to the report, Gatorade wants the two schools to put the 30-something players on the field to "play it again Sam" and break the tie as part of Gatorade's program highlighting great American high school rivalries.

The Easton-Phillipsburg rivalry is one of the best in the country. The two schools are separated by the Delaware River, and this past year played their 102nd game on Thanksgiving morning at Lafayette College. Phillipsburg is New Jersey's winningest high school football program, while Easton is #2 in Pennsylvania.

The game is big enough that it's been aired live on ESPN twice.

Click here for the story from the Express-Times.

Pennsylvania High School Football Scoreboard - Thanksgiving Day

By Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle

I said it all week long...throw out the records when it comes to Turkey Day high school football. Easton proved it Thursday beating arch-rival Phillipsburg (NJ) 35-14 in a game that saw the Red Rovers enter the contest with a 6-6 record and the Stateliners ready to play for a New Jersey state title next weekend.

Easton jumped out to a 35-0 halftime lead and never looked back taking a 57-40-5 lead in the all-time series. The victory was also the 131st of head coach Steve Shiffert's career, which ties him with Bob Rute for #1 on all-time victories list. Shiffert also equalled Rute's mark of 11 wins against the Liners. Shiffert is 11-4-1 all-time on Turkey Day.

Click here for game story.

Pennsylvania High School Football Scores
Thursday, November 27, 2008

Bartram Charter 42, Del-Val Charter 0
Boyertown 16, Upper Perkiomen 14
Bristol 44, Morrisville 7 Click here for game story
Conestoga 11, Great Valley 8
Conwell-Egan 35, Truman 28 Click here for game story
Dobbins 14, Ben Franklin 0
Easton 35 Phillipsburg (NJ) 14
East Stroudsburg South 34 Stroudsburg 0 Click here for game story
Father Judge 42, Lincoln 6
Germantown 20, Martin Luther King 0
Imhotep Charter 20, Edison 6
Malvern Prep 34, St. Joseph's Prep 27
Northampton 19 Catasauqua 0 Click here for game story
Northeast 38, Central 0
Olney 23, Fels 16
Overbrook 18, West Philadelphia 7
Owen J. Roberts 34, Pottstown 13
Penn Wood 21, William Penn 6
Phoenixville 18, Spring-Ford 10
Pottsgrove 49, St. Pius X 14
Quakertown 34, Pennridge 29
Ridley 14, Interboro 7
Roman Catholic 48, Roxborough 0
Sun Valley 39, Chichester 20
Upper Darby 17, Haverford High 10
Upper Moreland 27, Hatboro-Horsham 13

Turkey Day Football in the Land of the Pilgrims

By Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle

Since I spent the last two days talking about Thanksgiving high school football tradition in eastern Pennsylvania, I now want to let everyone in on a little secret. Massachusetts may have every state beat hands down!

Why? Hey, the Pilgrims invented the day!

So with that in mind, he are some fun facts about Turkey Day football in the Bay State.

Boston Latin and Boston English are meeting for the 122nd time, which makes it the oldest continuous high school match-up in the country. It's been a lopsided series with Latin bringing a ten game win streak into the game and it's won 42 of the last 44. Boston Latin leads the all-time series 72-36-13.

The oldest rivalry between public schools belongs to Wellesley and Needham, who are meeting for 121st time today. Wellesley leads the series 58-53-9.

Right behind is Barnstable and Falmouth. They're hooking up for the 119th game and it's the oldest game on Cape Code. It's a close series with Barnstable leading 56-54-8.

Later today The High School Football Huddle will have all of the scores from today's Thanksgiving clashes.

Click here to go to The Massachusetts High School Football Huddle.

Easton (PA) vs. Phillipsburg (NJ) Round 102

By Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle

As most readers of The High School Football Huddle know, I'm partial to eastern Pennsylvania football. Year-in and year out it produces great teams. It may not put a lot of blue chippers on Rivals.com and Scout.com lists, but as far as team play goes, most of the top teams would be able to hold their own against competition from around the country.

Now on to what I believe is the best Thanksgiving Day football game...Easton (PA) vs. Phillipsburg, who will meet for the 102nd time on Thursday to grab bragging rights along the Delaware River, which is all that separates the two schools.

Plenty of tradition to go around as Phillipsburg is New Jersey's winningest program, while Easton is #2 in Pennsy.

Below you will find links to lots of stories from the Express-Times, which is the local paper that has covered this series which began on December 3, 1905 and has been played on every Thanksgiving since 1916. How big is the game...ESPN has aired it live twice.

Click here for a game preview story.