Turkey Day Games

[MJT]

I have wondered about these games. Most are in playoffs, or done with their season. How do they play these games? Are they separate from the regular season, or what?

[eprov]

These are regular season games. In fact there are several games that will determine who goes into the playoffs. Foxboro vs Mansfield, St Johns vs Xaverian, Cambridge vs Evertt, Bourne vs Wareham, all are league games and will decide who goes. The playoffs start Tuesday with the winners moving on to Super Bowls on Dec 2 each division. The division are setup as follows1, 1A 2, 2A, 3, 3A and 4

[bisonlj]

Originally Posted by eprov

These are regular season games. In fact there are several games that will determine who goes into the playoffs. Foxboro vs Mansfield, St Johns vs Xaverian, Cambridge vs Evertt, Bourne vs Wareham, all are league games and will decide who goes. The playoffs start Tuesday with the winners moving on to Super Bowls on Dec 2 each division. The division are setup as follows1, 1A 2, 2A, 3, 3A and 4

If I read this correctly your playoffs are only games? It must be pretty tough to get into the playoffs. As I've mentioned here before, Indiana has an all-in system so our playoffs are 6 rounds! The championship teams end up playing 15 games - 9 in the regular season and 6 in the playoffs. The season starts around mid-August and ends this weekend with each of the championship games in the RCA Dome.

[eprov]

In Mass the Football season this year started Sept 8th and ends on Thanksgiving. There are 7 divisions, (divisions are 1, 1A, 2, 2A, 3, 3A, 4), division 4 has only 2 leagues. There are 4 leagues in each division. League winners play in a playoff game. The divisional game winners move on to Super Bowl Game in each division. Most teams will play 10 games during the regular season. The state governing body (MIAA) allows a school to play in a maximum of 12 games during the year including the playoffs.

[ToGreySt]

In NH, we have five divisions that have semi and final games. we just don't have enough teams to do any more rounds. all ofthese games are also before thanksgiving, the last championship game was the 18th of this month. only a couple of schools have turkey games, nothing more than an exhibition game.

However, I do have great memories from high school in RI of the turkey game between Cranston West and Cranston East, one year West won the game to get into the playoffs. I was confused when I started officiating in NH and the turkey games don't have any effect on the standings

Joe

[Bob M.]

REPLY: Here in NJ, Thanksgiving games have been a long-time tradition that predates the introduction of a playoff system. They are regular season games that usually take place between the playoff semi-finals and championships. There are rivalries that go back decades. I'm not so sure that the coaches who are still alive in the playoffs are thrilled having to go out there tomorrow for fear of injury. I'm not so sure that I'm thrilled going out there being as the weather is supposed to be miserable.

[waltjp]

To expand on Bob M's post, Phillipsburg NJ is playing Easton PA on Thanksgiving Day. This year marks the 100th game of their rivalry. The game is being televised on ESPN2, 9:00 Eastern.

I thought I was going to be able to attend the game this year becasuse my regular crew wasn't assigned a game on Thursday. Tickets are hard to come by but I have a friend who came through for me. That all changed when I got a call on Monday night asking if I could cover for someone on another crew.

I'd never turn down the chance to work a game but I'm sure I'll be kicking myself for passing up an opportunity to see the Phillipsburg/Easton game.

Phillipsburg/Easton Story

[ljudge]

Originally Posted by Bob M.

There are rivalries that go back decades.

We have on in S. Jersey that dates back to 1893 (Millville v. Vineland).

Originally Posted by Bob M.

I'm not so sure that the coaches who are still alive in the playoffs are thrilled having to go out there tomorrow for fear of injury.

We have one of those tomorrow. Seneca is in the Group 3 championship and Cherokee is in the Group 4 championship. It's Cherokee's homecoming and I read many of the starters are sitting. These are "sister" schools and this is a new rivalry. If both teams send their starters it will be one heckuva game.

Originally Posted by Bob M.

I'm not so sure that I'm thrilled going out there being as the weather is supposed to be miserable.

I just got home. It was 39 degrees and miserable as heck. The field was a quagmire. Just got that hot shower and gotta do it all again at 11:00 tomorrow except I get to go to Philly airport soaked to catch a plane. What fun!