Thanksgiving football has long been a hallmark of high school sports traditions across North Jersey. For decades, communities gathered on Turkey Day not just to celebrate the holiday but to witness fierce rivalries and spirited competition between local teams. However, this once widespread tradition has significantly dwindled over the years. Today, only a handful of Thanksgiving football games remain, with many storied matchups having faded into history. Revisiting these last games offers a fascinating window into the region’s rich high school football heritage.
The Enduring Rivalries That Persist
Currently, only three Thanksgiving football games continue in North Jersey: Hackensack vs. Teaneck, Dumont vs. Tenafly, and Eastside vs. Kennedy. These matchups serve as living reminders of the passion and pride that fueled Turkey Day contests for decades. Their continued existence contrasts sharply with the large number of rivalries that ended mostly after the 2009 season, underscoring both shifts in scheduling priorities and evolving school athletic programs.
A Walk Through Historical Rivalries and Their Last Meetings
Looking back, many North Jersey high schools engaged in annual Thanksgiving battles often going back half a century or more. For example:
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Clifton and Passaic were neighbors who faced off on Thanksgiving from 1992 until 2019. Prior to this, each had longstanding rivalries with other nearby schools, with Clifton playing Garfield and Passaic matched against Rutherford for decades.
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Don Bosco and St. Joseph met on Turkey Day multiple times, notably from 2009-2014 and earlier between 1990-1998. These teams also faced off against schools like Bergen Catholic and Paramus Catholic through different eras, highlighting an evolving landscape of opponents.
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Some games trace their roots back much further. For instance, Hasbrouck Heights and Wood-Ridge shared one of the oldest Thanksgiving traditions, playing annually from 1938 until 2009, with Hasbrouck Heights dominating the later years.
Similarly, rivalries involving Mahwah vs. Ramsey, North Arlington vs. Harrison, and St. Mary vs. Wallington spanned multiple decades but eventually saw their final Thanksgiving games in the late 2000s.
Shifts in Thanksgiving Football: Reasons Behind the Decline
Several factors have contributed to the sharp reduction in Thanksgiving high school football games across North Jersey. Changes in athletic scheduling, concerns about player safety at the end of a long season, and the competition with postseason playoffs have shifted the focus away from Turkey Day contests. Additionally, schools merging or co-opting sports programs and broader changes in high school athletics culture have influenced the ebbing of this cherished tradition.
Many traditional rivalries either moved their games to other weeks or dissolved altogether due to these factors. For instance, the once-regular Thanksgiving fixture between Bergen Catholic and Paramus Catholic ended in 2012 despite their long history of matchups. Other schools like Demarest and Old Tappan, and Glen Rock and Hawthorne, which enjoyed Thanksgiving rivalries spanning years, played their last Turkey Day games during the early 2010s.
Preserving the Spirit of Thanksgiving Football
Although the number of Thanksgiving football games has sharply decreased, the matchups that remain carry tremendous historical and community significance. These games continue to unite generations of fans, players, and alumni who cherish the tradition of ending the football season with a spirited contest on Turkey Day.
Moreover, remembering these past rivalries enriches appreciation for the region’s football culture. The narratives of long-standing competitions, repeated clashes, and changing opponents record how high school sports evolve alongside communities themselves.
In Conclusion
Thanksgiving football in North Jersey has transformed from a widespread tradition encompassing dozens of annual games to a cherished rarity featuring just a few enduring rivalries. By recalling when each team last played on Turkey Day and the stories behind those games, we gain valuable insight into the region’s sports heritage. While these contests may no longer dominate Turkey Day schedules as they once did, their legacy continues to inspire and remind us of the power of high school football to bring communities together.
