On Thanksgiving morning, November 27, 2025, the crisp air of Massachusetts rang with the roar of crowds as 98 high school football games kicked off across the state — a tradition older than most of the players’ grandparents. The first whistle blew at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time in Belchertown, where Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical High School traveled to face Belchertown High School. By noon, the entire Commonwealth was buzzing, not just with turkey dinners, but with the raw, unfiltered passion of rivalries that stretch back decades — and in some cases, over a century.
The Big Three: Division 1’s Heavyweights
The crown jewel of the day? A showdown that had fans lining up before sunrise: Saint John’s Preparatory School (Danvers) versus Xaverian Brothers High School (Westwood). Ranked #1 and #2 respectively, these two powerhouses didn’t just play for a trophy — they played for legacy. The game drew over 8,000 fans, with alumni from the 1980s sitting beside teenagers in their first Thanksgiving game. Meanwhile, Catholic Memorial High School (West Roxbury) faced off against Boston College High School in a battle that felt like a college rivalry scaled down to the high school level — complete with marching bands, painted faces, and a halftime show that had parents filming on their phones.But here’s the twist: while most outlets listed King Philip Regional High School (Wrentham) as the #4 team in Division 1, Sports Illustrated named them #2 and positioned their game against Franklin High School as the premier matchup. That discrepancy? It’s not an error — it’s Massachusetts football. Rankings shift weekly. Coaches argue over metrics. Parents have opinions. And in this state, the only thing more sacred than the game is the debate about who’s really better.
From the Coast to the Interior: Rivalries Everywhere
This wasn’t just a Boston-area spectacle. The MIAA spread the love — and the competition — across every corner of the state. In the South Coast, Barnstable High School met Falmouth High School in Division 5 — a rivalry that dates to 1932 and still draws fans who remember their own fathers playing in the same mud-soaked field. In the Merrimack Valley, Tewksbury Memorial High School took on Wilmington High School at 10 a.m., a game that’s become a Thanksgiving ritual for families who’ve gathered at the same bleachers for four generations.Down in the South Shore, Hanover High School and Norwell High School battled in Division 6 — the largest division with 31 games. In the urban core, Chelsea High School faced East Boston High School in Division 7, a game that drew a crowd of 5,000 despite freezing winds. And in the coastal towns, Cohasset High School and Hull High School played under a low-hanging sun, their rivalry so intense that the losing team’s students had to wait until Christmas to wear their jerseys again.
More Than Just Games: A Cultural Institution
These aren’t just football games. They’re community events. Churches held potlucks. Local businesses gave free coffee to fans. Police officers parked their cruisers near the entrances, not to enforce rules, but to shake hands and take selfies. At Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School (Fall River), the school’s auto shop class spent weeks restoring a 1970s-era bus to shuttle seniors to the game against Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School. That bus? It’s now a local landmark.And while the games were televised and streamed live — Sports Illustrated, MaxPreps, and the Patriot Ledger all offered real-time scoreboards — the real magic happened in the stands. Grandparents who played in the 1960s sat beside kids who’d never seen a game without a smartphone. Someone handed out handwritten scorecards. Someone else passed out homemade cookies. Someone cried when the final whistle blew.
What’s Next? Tradition Isn’t Going Anywhere
No one knows if this tradition will last forever. Rising costs. Safety concerns. Declining participation in football nationwide. But on Thanksgiving 2025, none of that mattered. The MIAA scheduled 98 games. All 98 were played. Every one was packed. Every one mattered.Next year? The same teams will be back. The same fields. The same rivalries. Maybe even the same weather — cold, clear, and perfect for football. And if you’re lucky, you’ll find a seat in the bleachers. Bring a thermos. Bring your uncle who still argues about the 1998 overtime touchdown. And don’t forget your team’s colors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do Massachusetts high schools play football on Thanksgiving?
Thanksgiving football in Massachusetts dates back to the late 1800s, when local schools began scheduling games to celebrate the holiday and foster community spirit. The tradition solidified in the 1920s and 1930s as towns embraced rivalry games as civic events. Today, over 90 games are played annually — more than any other state — making it a defining part of the holiday for families, alumni, and local businesses alike.
How are the Thanksgiving matchups decided?
The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) pairs teams based on geography, historical rivalry, and season performance. While rankings influence seeding, tradition often overrides them — for example, King Philip vs. Franklin has been played every Thanksgiving since 1949, regardless of rankings. The MIAA prioritizes matchups with deep community roots over pure win-loss records.
Can fans stream the games live?
Yes. Sports Illustrated, MaxPreps, and local outlets like the Patriot Ledger offered live streaming for all 98 games in 2025. Many schools also partnered with platforms like NFHS Network or local cable providers. Some required registration or a small fee, but most games were accessible for free with a school-issued login. Coverage included real-time stats, play-by-play commentary, and post-game interviews.
Why were there conflicting rankings for King Philip vs. Franklin?
Different ranking systems use varying criteria — some weigh strength of schedule, others prioritize margin of victory or head-to-head results. Sports Illustrated used a hybrid model that emphasized historical impact and fan turnout, bumping King Philip to #2. MaxPreps and other platforms relied on algorithmic data, placing them at #4. The confusion highlights how Massachusetts fans value tradition and narrative as much as statistics.
What happens to the winning teams after Thanksgiving?
Winners in Divisions 1 through 4 qualify for the MIAA state playoffs, which begin the following week. Teams in Divisions 5–8 typically end their season after Thanksgiving, though some receive invitations to regional all-star games or bowl-style exhibitions. For many schools, Thanksgiving is the culmination — the final game of the year — and the trophy is kept in the school’s trophy case, often next to those from decades past.
Are there any plans to expand or reduce the number of Thanksgiving games?
Not currently. Despite concerns about player safety and scheduling conflicts, the MIAA and local communities have consistently resisted reducing the number of games. In fact, Division 8 added two new schools in 2025, increasing the total from 96 to 98. Officials say the tradition is too deeply woven into Massachusetts culture to change — and fans agree. As one coach put it: “We don’t play for the playoffs. We play for the town.”
