Around the Granite State: Thanksgiving football

While high school football on Thanksgiving isn't quite the event it is just south of the New Hampshire boarder, there will be football played on Thursday.

In Amherst, the state's longest running Thanksgiving game will take place for the 15th - and final - time, as Souhegan will play host to Merrimack at 10 a.m. The series that started in 1997 will be played for the last time, and while both sides are sad to see it come to an end, one is really unhappy about it.

"When I think about it, my stomach just curdles," said Merrimack coach Joe Battista, who was an assistant at Souhegan for six years. "It's disgusting that you can take 15 years of tradition and spit on it. It's the longest running game in New Hampshire and I’m not real happy about it coming to an end."

In the last couple of years, Souhegan coach Mike Beliveau felt that his players haven't shown the same enthusiasm for the game. And last year, the Sabers played in the Division III championship game and had to turn around to play on Thanksgiving less than a week later.

"The last number of years, it’s been difficult to get the kids motivated to play the game, especially after being in a playoff or championship game," Beliveau said. "The crossover with the winter sports, and possible injuries that could occur, has made me nervous. Its a little sad. It's been a 15-year series with Merrimack, and it's been mostly played in the right spirit. Some kids on both teams set milestones in this game."

Souhegan leads the series, 9-5, but Merrimack came out on top last year, winning 54-15 to snap a seven-game losing streak in the series. The Tomahawks have kept the Milk Jug - given to the winner each season - in their trophy case for the last year, and Battista really wants to be able to hang on it perminently.

"This one is for keeping the Milk Jug at your school," Battista said. "I'm sure they'll be motivated for the game. We're motivated to keep it here in Merrimack. It should be a very exciting game."

Merrimack (2-8) and Souhegan (6-4) will kickoff at 10 a.m. on Thursday at Souhegan.

Other games

• North, South out to prove something entirely different - Nashua Telegraph
• Red Raiders, Hilltoppers looking for redemption - Foster's Daily Democrat
• Clippers trying to avoid letdown in Turkey Bowl - Portsmouth Herald
• Can Pioneers knock off the Little Green? - Union Leader
• Can spunky Lancers slow down Fedrick? - Eagle Tribune