2. Ye Olde Ball Game
Norwich Free Academy (Conn.) vs. New London (Conn.) — Believed by some to be the longest-running annual football game in America — the Northeastern Connecticut towns have played each year since 1875 — this annual matchup has made Turkey Day its own for decades. The teams have faced off more than once in some years, 42 to be exact, which makes the 2019 edition the 158th game between the rivals.
NFA topped New London in 2016, 13-0, and shut down the Whalers in 2015 as well. In 2017, it was the Whalers who did the shocking, pulling out a 26-22 victory despite entering the game with just a 3-6 record.
Norwich emerged as a 40-7 victor in 2018, pushing its season mark to 6-4 and dropping New London to 5-5 while ruining the Whalers’ chance at a winning season.