Turkey Day Game San Francisco: Mission versus Washington

Turkey Day Game 2011

What: 88th San Francisco Section championship

Who: Mission-San Francisco (8-3) vs. Washington-San Francisco (9-2)

Where: Kezar Stadium

When: 11 a.m., today

Last meeting: Oct. 28 - Washington 28, Mission 7

Turkey Day championships: Washington 9 (2010, 2003, 2000, 1999, 1997, 1987, 1982, 1964, 1960), Mission 5 (1954, 1936, 1932, 1930, 1929).

SAN FRANCISCO - From a historical perspective – and after 87 Turkey Day Games there's plenty – today's San Francisco Section title game pits the haves and the have-nots.

Mission (8-3) makes its first Turkey Day Game appearance since 1972, the longest dry spell of any Academic Athletic Association team.

Considering the Bears haven't won the game since 1954, they are flat out parched.

"We're not going to try to make up for lost time," Mission second-year head coach Joe Albano said. "We're just going to do the things that got us here."

Washington are regulars at this big dance.

The Eagles (9-2) are the defending champions and have won five Turkey Day Games since 1997 while appearing four other times during that span. They've played in three of the last four title games.

"That's all in the past," Washington coach Karl Finley said. "What we did last year, the year before or even last week doesn't matter one bit. It all comes down to who performs best (today)."

Still, it can't hurt Washington that it showed little nerves and played about flawless in last year's game, a 36-6 triumph over Balboa.

Finley admits that experience will help. But he also points out that the star of that game was Lajarie Mabrey, who was something of an afterthought in Washington's attack but rushed 11 time for 181 yards.

Mabrey emerged from city obscurity to record one of the biggest rushing days in the history of the game. The now 5-foot-9, 180-pound senior is the No. 1 threat in today's game after rushing for more than 1,000 yards this season for the AAA's regular-season undefeated champions.

"If he can rise from nowhere, so can someone else," Finley said. "And that means from either team."

Mission's rise to this pinnacle game has come just two seasons after the program hit rock bottom.

In 2009, the Bears had to end their season after just three games because they ran out of players due to academic problems. To that point, Mission had been outscored 190-26.

But Albano – a calm, no-nonsense influence – restored order and ignited enthusiasm. An on-campus counselor, he made sure players were committed not only to the program but the classroom.

Mission had a wealth of athletes and was a perennial playoff team during the last decade under off-campus coach Carl Sullivan. Albano was the junior varsity coach for eight seasons.

"Carl did a great job – really," Albano said. "I just think it's been a huge help to have someone in the building, staying on them."

In his first season, Albano led Mission to a round-robin title but lost a first-round playoff game. This season, the team's only league loss was at Washington, 28-7 on Oct. 28.

With playmakers like quarterback Davon Hargraves, running back Algeron Malbrough and Antoine Porter – and a stellar defense – the Bears are confident they can turn around that score. They also feature top lineman Mane Fale and Darius Grays.

Washington counters with another talented running back Jamie McHenry, second-year starting quarterback
Aram Gevandian and probably the best line in the AAA, led by Devon White and Josh Kidd.

"Washington is a very good team and they have an excellent line," Albano said. "We lost one of our biggest lineman before halftime the first time and they dominated us at the line of scrimmage the second half."

Albano hopes Washington doesn't dominate the battle of nerves.

"We can't be overwhelmed by the moment," he said. "I hope we enjoy it, cherish it and simply play our best."