Thanksgiving Football

At this time of year, as the last few leaves fall off the trees and the fireplaces are lit to warm up a comfy home, we all look forward to Thanksgiving. The gathering of family and friends, the rich aromas wafting through a cozy living room, laughter and cheers of “Touchdown!!” as everyone high fives. Yes, here in New England, Thanksgiving most certainly means football and the most cherished of all traditions is the annual high school Thanksgiving Day football game. Alumni journey back from far and wide to mingle with classmates, catch up with friends and cheer on their alma mater. It is informal and relaxed… pure joy!  This treasured day in Weston is started with a town- wide Pancake Breakfast.  This morning breakfast bash has been a tradition for many years and is enjoyed by young and old, athletes and fans, scholars and teachers.

 As Weston and Wayland High Schools prepare to meet on the gridiron for the 80th year, we look forward to a special tribute to the Thanksgiving games of the past and the culmination of the Weston 300 anniversary year. We look forward to seeing all past football captains and coaches.  For this reason, the game will be played in Weston on Proctor Field at Weston High School. Festivities will begin with the Pancake Breakfast at 7:00am, the pre-game ceremony at 9:30am followed by the coin toss and game at 10:00. This is a town-wide event worth attending, a perfect prelude to your family gathering. 

 Here are some interesting fun facts about the Wayland – Weston Football game:

·        The coaches with the most wins are Coach John Proctor from Weston and Coach Ralph Salvati from Wayland. 

·        Coach Proctor was inducted into the Massachusetts High School Coaches Hall of Fame in 1964; Coach Salvati in 1971.

·        In Weston, the family name of captains that is most prevalent is Melone.

·        Although not a Thanksgiving Day game, the earliest known match for Wayland versus Weston High School is in 1932.

·        Because of the popularity of the match, the early games were played at Nickerson Field (Boston University) which in those days was located near the Leo J. Martin Golf Course.

·        Wayland has won the game 46 times and Weston has won 29 times with 3 tie games from 1934-2012.

·        Weston High School has been the Super Bowl champs 3 times (1991, 1996, and 1998).

·        Wayland High School won the 2006 Super Bowl putting All-State quarterback Alex Jenny in the record books at Wayland High School, including 47 career touchdown passes and 4,679 career yards passing.

·        1966 Weston High School Football Captain Jack Rizzo played in the NFL for the N.Y. Giants in 1973.

·        A 2012 inductee into the Wayland High School Athletic Hall of Fame, Tom Longtine scored all 3 touchdowns in his final Thanksgiving game for a victory over Weston, 18-0.

·        The 1962 Thanksgiving game was so muddy that neither team could score so the game ended in a 0-0 tie.

·        In 2001, the Weston-Wayland Rotary Club presented the first “Post Road Gridiron Classic” trophy to the winner of the Thanksgiving Football game.  That tradition carries on today.

We will be paying tribute to all past players, captains, and coaches at this wonderful homecoming event.  Tickets to the Breakfast are $5 for students and seniors, $10 for adults, and families (5 or more) for $35. Football game tickets are available in advance at the High School through Wednesday, November 27th. Ticket prices on game day are $8 for students and seniors, and $10 for adults.  Tickets are also available game day at the box office starting at 8:30 a.m. See you there!!