Thanksgiving Football Tradition Continues in Union County

For many schools the Thanksgiving Day game has become a thing of the past.  Some feel it has just become an inconvenience while others feel that it hinders their preparation for any playoff games that may fall after the Thanksgiving Day showdown.   

Those schools that continue to play the Thanksgiving game understand the pageantry and tradition that come along with the event. It serves as an end of the season homecoming; an opportunity for players, parents, fans, alumni and community members to gather for one of the holiday’s greatest traditions.  

Governor Livingston @ New Providence 11/24/11

New Providence has won the last three matchups between the two, including a 35-0 victory in 2010.  The Pioneers have faced off against neighbor Governor Livingston for the last several years, including last season when the Pioneers were also preparing for their North II Group I state championship game.  Once again only one win away from the finals, they may find themselves in the same situation this season.

“We’ve always had the Thanksgiving Day game at New Providence,” said head coach Art Cattano. “It would be a big deal if we didn’t have it.  It’s something that we always have been used to.”

Governor Livingston head coach Terry Hanratty echoed similar sentiments regarding the event.

“In my eight years at Governor Livingston the game has been great for the kids,” said Hanratty. “It draws huge crowds, the biggest of the year and its an exciting day for the kids. A lot of young alumni come home from school and get an opportunity to see their old friends.”

“You have to treat it like any other game,” said Cattano when asked about the dilemma of resting starters for a state championship game. “I can go back to 1999 when we were undefeated and our quarterback, Andy Silvagni (now the Pioneers’ defensive coordinator) blew out his knee in the Thanksgiving game.  You have to play your kids and compete no matter what, you can’t worry about them getting hurt.”

Conversely, a team who is no longer competing in the state tournament can approach the Thanksgiving Day game as a championship quality game.

“I like having the Thanksgiving Day game in the sense that if you don’t’ qualify for the playoffs or lose in one of the first two rounds, you get another shot at finishing the season on a high note,” said Cattano.

Governor Livingston will not qualify for the playoffs in 2011, so the matchup with the Pioneers will be their last of the season.

“We haven’t been in the playoffs this year or last so this has been a huge game for us over the last few years,” said Hanratty. “We always get excited for this game no matter what, even in the past when we have been preparing for a state playoff game.”

Johnson @ Rahway 11/24/11

The Crusaders continue their Thanksgiving Day rivalry with the Birds of Rahway. The two schools renewed the longtime rivalry in 2004 after a few years of no games. Rahway holds a slight 9-7 edge in the series but are looking to avenge a 42-34 loss to the Crusaders in what was a back and forth contest.

In 2006, the already intense rivalry carried extra significance as the two schools were fighting for the Mountain Valley Conference championship. Johnson won the game 21-0, the last season that they would earn the conference crown. Historically, the conditions for this game have been a memorable part of the Turkey day experience. 

“The game has traditionally been a mud bowl,” said Johnson assistant coach Ryan Burnett. “It was like that every year before Johnson got field turf, but this year is at Rahway so expect one again.”

On the Wednesday night before the game the school hosts the annual bonfire for the entire Johnson community to attend.  Following the event the school will play host the the alumni dinner which draws alumni of all kinds.

“Alumni from the 1950’s all the way up to last year’s team will be present,” said Burnett.  “The current players get to met all of the alumni and really get a feel for the great tradition that Johnson has had in its 50-plus years of football.” 

Westfield @ Plainfield 11/24/11

The Blue Devils have won the last five games in the longtime series that has pitted the two against each other 105 times.  Fresh off of an early playoff exit and with a division title in the grasp, look for the Blue Devils to be motivated to extend that streak this season. 

“There is not much we have to do to motivate the kids,” said head coach Jim DeSarno.  “If we win the game we win the division.  They understand how important that is for us.”

The Thanksgiving game will give Westfield the opportunity to erase the sting from the first-round upset by taking the division crown to finish out the season.  The Blue Devils will certainly not sleep on Plainfield, who is coming off of a consolation game victory over Millburn.

“We have won the last five against them but records don’t mean much when these two teams square off,” said DeSarno, who understands the historic rivalry. “The game means a lot to both towns and were always going to have a big game.”

DeSarno understands how much the century old game means to the community and the alumni who return home for the annual Thanksgiving Day game. 

“Its such a special game when you get to see not only all of your own former players come back, but players from the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s. That’s what makes the game so great,” said DeSarno. “It’s unfortunate that other towns don’t get to experience that.”