» Turkey bowl tradition in New England :: Raising Athletes

Nov252009

Turkey bowl tradition in New England

Filed under Fall sports, Family, Food, Football, General, High School Sports, Manchester Memorial High School, Memorial High School Football by bob hammerstrom at 1:22 pm

Football games on Thanksgiving Day have been a tradition in New England high schools for more than 100 years. I remember photographing the Fitchburg vs. Leominster games for the Sentinel & Enterprise for several years in the 1990’s. I took my son, who was a toddler at the time, to one of them. It was a tradition for me to shoot the games, and then come home for a Thanksgiving meal in late afternoon.

This year is different, as has been the last few. I will work Thanksgiving, but not the football games. I’ll be shooting the turkeys at the Hudson Rod and Gun Club. They have hosted a holiday meal for years. Then it’s back home later for my own turkey dinner.

With my son out of commission from a knee injury this football season, he will be sitting out of the turkey bowl game between Manchester Memorial and Manchester Central. That game will be played at Gill Stadium. He’s a sophomore, so he’ll have a couple more Thanksgiving Day games to play in his future.

Other good match-ups this year will be Nashua North vs. South. A long-time rivalry, played at Stellos Stadium, and Merrimack will travel to Souhegan for a chance to win the “old rusty milk jug” trophy.

Enjoy that turkey and conversations this Thanksgiving, but don’t forget to watch a little football too.

-Bob Hammerstrom

Tags: bob hammerstrom, Day, Football, games, High School, New England, Thanksgiving, tradition