Vote for the Best Rivalry in MA
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Salem, Mass.
Beverly, Mass.
History
Salem and Beverly first played in 1891. The annual Thanksgiving Day game actually begins the Monday before the game. That's when the teams meet up face to face on Veterans Memorial Bridge, which connects the two towns. Come game day, the tradition is to play 12-minute quarters. In Massachusetts, high school football games have 11-minute quarters.
2012 Result
Beverly28
Salem 14
Danvers, Mass.
Westwood, Mass.
History
Some rivalries in Massachusetts are bitter because they've been around for so long. This is huge because more often than not the Catholic Conference championship comes down to St. John's Prep and Xaverian. The winner moves onto the playoffs, the loser heads home. With the game having regular postseason implications, the brother schools moved the game to Thanksgiving 19 years ago to add to the lore. Xaverian owns a 25-20 all-time advantage.
2012 Result
St. John's Prep9
Xaverian0
Wellesley Hills, Mass.
Needham, Mass.
History
The Wellesley, Needham rivalry isn't as old as Thanksgiving, but it's not too far off. The teams have only missed seven games (four because of World War I) since kicking off the Thanksgiving tradition with a 4-0 Wellesley win in 1882. Wellesley owns a 59-57-9 all-time edge, but Needham has won two straight going into this year.
2012 Result
Needham39
Wellesley21