While much of the country is focused on food and watching the NFL, many communities throughout the country united around high school football stadiums Thursday to celebrate traditional rivalry games and playoff games.
See how two Massachusetts teams squared off at historic Fenway Park as part of the MaxPreps Rivalry Series, presented by the Army National Guard
There was even a game at Fenway Park in Boston and a traditional San Francisco Section championship game at Kezar Stadium, which at one time held 60,000 fans for NFL fans but now holds a quaint 10,000.
See how 92nd Turkey Day Game in San Francisco finished with an inspired stop and controversial finishMany of these traditional games date back more than 100 years and most take place in the Northeast. The oldest — Thanksgiving or otherwise — pits
Norwich Free Academy (Norwich, Conn.) and
New London (Conn.), which dates back to 1875. On Thursday, Norwich Free Academy prevailed 14-6 on two touchdowns by
Griffen Gooden.
Tyler Clayton (25) of Clearview makes a catch behind a Kingsway defender during Kingsway's 20-14 victory on Thursday in New Jersey.
Photo by Mark Fletcher
Zach Tripodi rushed for 232 yards and three touchdowns on Thanksgiving morning, helping New Fairfield (Conn.) beat New Milford (Conn.), 31-7, and win the annual Candlewood Cup. New Fairfield (9-1) also clinched the No. 2 seed for the upcoming CIAC Class M tournament. New Fairfield will be playing in the state tournament for the first time since 2001 when it opens quarterfinal round play on Tuesday.
Photo by Jim Stout
North Haven (Conn.) defeated Amity (Woodbridge, Conn.), 62-30, on Thanksgiving Day to complete the program's first-ever perfect regular season, finishing at 10-0, which earned it the top seed in the CIAC Class L playoffs starting on Tuesday. Head coach Anthony Sagnella (middle) is flanked by the game's offensive MVP, Mike Montano (left) and defensive MVP David Mikos.
Photo by Kevin Pataky
H.D. Woodson (Washington DC) won the 2015 DCIAA championship on Thursday, defeating Woodrow Wilson (Washington), 40-24, in the annual Thanksgiving title game conducted by the District of Columbia Interscholastic Athletic Association.
Photo by Michael Smith
Balboa (white uniforms) and Mission (yellow) played a tense, hard-hitting San Francisco Section title game in the 92nd Turkey Day Game at Kezar Stadium. Mission won its second straight championship with a 14-13 victory.
Photo by Ernie Abrea
CHSAA 3A runner-up Cardinal Hayes won its third straight Thanksgiving holiday game against its Bronx, N.Y., rival on Thursday, defeating Mount St. Michael, 47-14. With the win the Cardinals finished the 2015 season with a record of 9-3.
Photo by Robert Cole
Jerry Breitzman (7) and Absegami went head to head with Oakcrest in the teams' annual Thanksgiving Day game in South Jersey. Absegami won the 2015 Joe Mohr Memorial Trophy by beating Oakcrest, 28-7.
Photo by Richard Ta
In arguably the most historic setting of the day, Wellesley and Needham played their annual Thanksgiving game at Fenway Park as part of the MaxPreps Rivalry Series, presented by the Army National Guard.
Photo by Dave Arnold
