Go Squan, Beat Wall!

Before voting to approve a resolution hiring Ken Hamill as a patrolmen with the Manasquan Police Department, Mayor George Dempsey had an important question to ask.

"What a minute— you're from Wall?"

The question drew a laugh from those in attendance at Monday evening's meeting of the Manasquan Mayor and Council and though the fact that Hamill had previously worn the jersey of a Wall Knight would certainly not affect his hiring, it does underly what has become a longstanding crosstown feud between Wall and the Manasquan Warriors football team.

A trip through Manasquan reveals just how important the game is to the community. Campaign style signs proclaiming "Go Squan, Beat Wall" are posted on residents' lawns while similar messages of encouragement can be read on churches, firehouses and local businesses.

Big Blue has the edge in the series, winning six of the 11 Thanksgiving games between the neighboring teams. This year, Manasquan comes in strong after a remarkable season under new head coach Jay Price cut short by a loss in a Central Jersey Group II semi-final game against Matawan last week. Still, at 9-1, the Warriors are a team to be reckoned with.

Wall are no slouches themselves. The Knights come into the Thanksgiving game at 7-2 with a promising post-season also cut short by a loss.

This year the game will be held at Wall. Gates at the school open at 9 a.m. and kick-off is scheduled for 11 a.m.

The rain date is Saturday at 1 p.m. but that seems unlikely to be necessary as forecasters are calling for sunny skies and mild temperatures with highs in the low to mid-50s.

Those planning on driving to the game should be aware of several regulations being put in place by the Wall Township Police Department.

There will be no general parking at Wall High School. Instead, free shuttle service will be available from designated parking areas in three locations.

No parking is permitted on several area roads surrounding the high school, including 18^th Avenue, New Bedford Road and East Hurley Pond Road.

Parking will be allowed at the Circle Factory Outlets, on the Manasquan Circle at Route 35 and Atlantic Avenue; Wall Intermediate School, corner of Allaire Road and Bailey’s Corner Road and at the Camp Evans parking lot at the corner of Monmouth Boulevard and Taft Road.

Shuttles will begin at 8:45 a.m. and will run continuously through and after the game.

And while no self-respecting Big Blue supporter would miss this game, those who didn't catch it live will be able to re-live the action on Monday, Nov. 28 at 7:30 p.m. when it is broadcasted on MSG Varisty. The channel is only available to Cablevision customers on channel 14.

(Wall Patch Editor Keith Brown contributed to this report.)