Thanksgiving Day football rivalries capped the season for most of the area teams this past week.
So it was a time when players delivered sparkling efforts that increased their appetite for what was to be served on the dinner table later that day.
Shore Regional High School was bounced from the NJSIAA state football sectional playoffs a week earlier, while Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School was preparing for its championship game in Central Jersey, Group III this coming weekend.
So leave it to Shore Regional to ruin Rumson-Fair Haven’s holiday. The Blue Devils posted a 14-7 victory on the eve of Thanksgiving, Nov. 22, in West Long Branch.
Quarterback Matt Pennell produced the winning touchdown pass when he connected with Nick Rew in the fourth quarter on a 7-yard play. That touchdown snapped a 7-7 tie.
Rumson-Fair Haven will now focus on beating South Plainfield High School in the finals of the playoffs Dec. 3 at Rutgers University.
Middletown High School North is bound for a state playoff final Dec. 3 at Rutgers, but the Lions did not allow rival Middletown High School South from disturbing its plans and its holiday feast, too.
Quarterback Donald Glenn passed for 236 yards and three touchdowns when he guided Middletown North past sister-school Middletown South, 24-6, Thanksgiving Day at Middletown North’s field. The victory was the first time Middletown North beat its township rival in this holiday affair since 2000.
Middletown North now faces Sayreville War Memorial High School in the North Jersey, Section II, Group IV finals Dec. 3.
South Brunswick High School is not back in the playoff finals after being thwarted in its bid to retain the Central Jersey, Group V title with a loss to Manalapan High School in the semifinals a week ago.
But South Brunswick did manage to wrap up its season with a victory on Turkey Day against its neighbor, North Brunswick Township High School, 19-0, in North Brunswick.
South Brunswick’s attack was directed by quarterback Josh Liao, who broke off a 36-yard run to the end zone and hit Dylan Kriz for a 22-yard scoring pass.
Old Bridge High School moved on from its elimination from the state playoff semifinals when the Knights hosted its rival from up Route 18, East Brunswick High School, Thanksgiving Day.
Old Bridge capped its season when it stormed to a 35-7 victory over East Brunswick, a triumph that was led by back Nick Sodano, who rushed for 177 yards on 19 carries and scored three touchdowns. Included among his touchdowns was a 78-yard burst.
Old Bridge was knocked out by Piscataway Township High School in the Central Jersey, Group V semifinals Nov. 19.
Long Branch High School gained its appetite for later in the day when it pitched a 27-0 shutout against visiting Red Bank Regional High School Thanksgiving morning.
Keith Cooper guided Long Branch to the victory when he rushed for 114 yards on 26 carries and scored two touchdowns. He also caught a touchdown pass.
Raritan High School also enjoyed a festive holiday morning when it soared to a 44-14 victory over Holmdel High School in Hazlet.
Raritan’s effort was steered by back Vito Aleo, who rushed for 158 yards and scored two touchdowns, including a 64-yard scoring sprint.