Thanksgiving Day means rivalry day for some of America's oldest schools

Thanksgiving Day means family, food and football (not necessarily in that order) for a select group of high school football teams that play in some of the oldest rivalries in the nation.

While many will be enjoying turkey and stuffing and watching football on television, players from Norwich Free Academy (Conn.) and New London (Conn.) will take to the football field Thursday morning for the 152nd meeting between the schools. The teams meet annually on Thanksgiving Day in a rivalry that dates back to 1875. While complete records are unknown, it is believed that Norwich Free Academy holds the lead in the rivalry with a 74-66-11 record.

The two Connecticut schools don't hold the monopoly on longtime Thanksgiving Day rivalries, however. Following are a few of the oldest rivalries that still play on Thanksgiving Day.


Fordham Prep (Bronx, N.Y.) vs. Xavier (New York City)
The oldest rivalry in the state of New York, these teams have been going at it since 1883 according to some sources, although other sources put 1905 as the start date. Fordham will be looking for its 50th win in the series on Thursday.

Wellesley (Mass.) vs. Needham (Mass.)
These teams have met since 1882 and will play for the 126th time on Thursday. Thanksgiving Day games hold a different significance this year than in the past due to a new playoff system in Massachusetts. In the past, teams that played on Thanksgiving Day often moved on to the postseason and thus the games had true significance. Under the new system, the playoffs start much earlier and only 12 teams will advance to next week's state championship games. Thursday's game is the last of the season for both Wellesley and Needham.

Boston Latin vs. Boston English
Reportedly the oldest continuous high school football rivalry in the United States, Boston Latin and Boston English will play for the 127th time on Thursday. It's been tough going for English of late as it has had only a handful of victories in the series over the past 30 years. Latin coach John McDonough is coaching in his 33rd-straight Thanksgiving Day game, according to Boston.com. English coach Brian Vaughn is coaching in his first.

Malden (Mass.) vs. Medford (Mass.)
Right behind Boston Latin vs. Boston English, Malden vs. Medford is believed to be the second-longest continuous rivalry in the country. The teams first met in 1889 and moved to Thanksgiving Day in 1899, according to Wickedlocal.com. Thursday the teams will meet for the 126th time. Malden leads the all-time series 61-54-10.

Winchester (Mass.) vs. Woburn Memorial (Mass.)
Another game with plenty of history, this rivalry began in 1891, however it was not played on Thanksgiving Day for the first four decades of the rivalry, according to homenewshere.com. The game has not been played every year, but Winchester holds a 52-45 edge in the rivalry with 12 ties.

Beverly (Mass.) vs. Salem (Mass.)
Reportedly the second-oldest rivalry game in the state of Massachusetts, these teams began playing in 1891. Salem holds the edge over Beverly, 53-50-6.

Vineland (N.J.) vs. Millville (N.J.)
One of the longest-running Thanksgiving Day rivalries, the teams have met since 1893. Vineland has a slight lead in the series, 63-59-19.

Ansonia (Conn.) vs. Naugatuck (Conn.)
These teams currently have just one loss between them, with Ansonia (11-0) holding a 40-game winning streak. The teams will meet for the 114th time in the rivalry.

Webster Groves (Mo.) vs. Kirkwood (Mo.)
Known as the "Turkey Day Game" in Missouri, these teams have played for the Frisco Bell since 1952 and have been playing regularly on Thanksgiving Day since 1907. It is regarded as the oldest Thanksgiving Day rivalry west of the Mississippi River. Some games have featured just a JV game when varsity teams were competing in the playoffs, but this year's game will feature both varsity teams.