Thanksgiving and Football go together like ice cream and Apple pie. Maybe not for everyone but definitely an American Classic. The Town of Fairfield has its own version. The two local high school football teams meet at 10:30AM at Tetreau Davis Field on the Fairfield Warde High School campus.
This game has a very personal flavor for me. My Dad was the first football coach at Andrew Warde High School. The name that was given this high school when Fairfield first expanded to two high schools. The other was Roger Ludlowe High School. While my Dad was coaching on one sideline, I was playing Quarterback for Ludlowe the cross town rival.
My Dad was honored a few years back when the Board of Education chose to name the high school field after him and former coach Bill Davis. Dad also had a chance to speak to the Warde football team earlier this season and the next day resulted in Warde's first victory of the season!
And now, I have been invited to speak before the Thanksgiving Day game at the Pre Game dinner which is a combined event with both teams present. My co-speaker is the Quarterback that led the Warde Crimson Eagles in our cross town match my senior year. A year when both teams were undefeated when we met.
The cross town rivalry brings back some great memories. In a town this size, we really knew everyone on both teams. It was personal - a lot like playing against your brothers or maybe cousins. While we played together as kids in various youth leagues or during summer leagues in high school - no one wanted to come out on the losing end. I mean, you never want to lose to family - you have to see them way too often!
So I am really looking forward to sharing a few thoughts with both teams. The game is alive and well. Both teams are in need of a victory to both finish strong and finish with the best record in years. So a lot is at stake. It should be a great game! The crowds are coming back and the event serves as an informal high school reunion for both schools. If you are in town, you don't want to miss this slice of Americana - Fairfield style. See you at the game!
Have a Happy Turkey Day, Mike
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