5 Things to Know about Turkey Bowl

Here are five things to know ahead of the traditional Thanksgiving Day football clash between Baltimore-area Catholic schools Calvert Hall Cardinals and Loyola Blakefield Dons: 

When will the Turkey Bowl be played and how can I watch?

The game is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 28, 10 a.m. at Towson University’s Johnny Unitas Stadium. It can be watched in person by purchasing tickets ($12 for general admission) at the gates, which open at 8:30 a.m. or by visiting either school’s website calverthall.com or loyolablakefield.org or  ticketmaster.com/towsonstudent/TurkeyBowl. For ticket questions, call 410-841-3298. The game, sponsored by The Brooks Financial Group, can be viewed live on WMAR-TV (channel 2) or on the station’s streaming channels. Coverage starts Thanksgiving morning at 9 a.m. with the “The Rice, Murtha, Psoras Turkey Bowl Gameday” show. 

What do I need to know if I’m attending the Turkey Bowl in person?

Administrators suggest arriving early since a large crowd is expected for the 11,198-seat venue (there was a capacity crowd in 2023). Parking lots 4, 5 and 8 are for general parking. Additional parking is available at the Union Garage off Osler Drive. A designated drop-off/pick-up spot is located in the parking lot of Osler Medical Center for parents shuttling students and others.

A ticket is required for all guests, except infants (under 2 years of age). All tickets are general admission, with no assigned seats. Mobile ticket owners are encouraged to download their tickets to their phone’s digital wallet prior to arriving at the stadium.

Security checks will be in place. All guests will pass security wanding and bag checks. Only bags smaller than 22 inches x 12 inches x 8 inches are allowed into the stadium. There will be a claim check available for inadmissible items or bags. Only small telescopic umbrellas are allowed into the stadium. No sticks, flagpoles, etc. are permitted.

Concessions are cashless.

At the request of both schools, all tailgating is prohibited.

What’s the history of this matchup?

This will be the 104th football meeting between the archrivals. The game had been played every year since Nov. 12, 1920, before the pandemic caused the cancellation of the game in 2020. It is believed to be the oldest continuous football rivalry between Catholic high schools in the United States. 

In the 103rd edition of the game in 2023, Loyola defeated Calvert Hall, 40-28. Kendrick Worthington led the way for the Dons, rushing for 226 yards and three touchdowns. Loyola, which has won two of the past three games, leads the all-time series 51-44-8.

Both schools predate the Civil War. The Christian Brothers founded Calvert Hall in 1845; the Jesuits opened what is now Loyola Blakefield in 1852.

Sites the game has been played at include Johns Hopkins University, Loyola College (now Loyola University Maryland), Municipal Stadium, Memorial Stadium and M&T Bank Stadium.

How have the teams fared coming into this final game of the season?

Loyola has compiled a 5-5 overall record and a 3-3 mark in the MIAA A Conference under head coach Blake Henry. The Dons have won four of their past six games, including a 27-20 victory over Milford Mill Academy Nov. 1. Calvert Hall, coached by Josh Ward, has compiled a 6-4 record, including 4-2 in the conference. The Cardinals had a four-game win streak halted by McDonogh in their latest game, 21-10, Nov. 8.

Calvert Hall is ranked No. 4 in Maxpreps’ Baltimore High School Football Rankings, while Loyola is No. 5. The schools trail only No. 1 St. Frances (7-3), No. 2 Archbishop Spalding (12-0) and No. 3 McDonogh (9-2).

Who are the top players to watch?

Calvert Hall is led on offense by senior running backs John Asuquo (505 rushing yards, 5 touchdowns) and Kevaughn Mitchell (5.3 yards per carry, 5 TDs). The Cards’ top receivers are seniors Jaiden Davenport (291 receiving yards) and Jackson Taggart (181 receiving yards) and sophomore Micha Morozov (254 receiving yards, 4 TD receptions). Senior quarterback Mekhai Brown has thrown for 713 yards and five touchdowns and senior quarterback Oliver Noll has thrown for three touchdowns and rushed for five. The defense is anchored by seniors Xzavion Crumb (7.5 tackles per game) and Kyle Greene (5.7 tackles per game) and junior linebacker Jayden Falcons (5.3 tackles per game). Senior outside linebacker Jermaine Anderson and junior defensive back Chris Hewitt both have recorded three interceptions.  

Loyola is led on offense by senior quarterback Bradley Seiss (.536 passing completion percentage, 9 TD passes, 3 rushing TDs), junior running back Mason Russell (31.8 yards rushing per game, 2 TDs) and junior receivers Brayden Pross (35 receptions, 601 yards) and Khary Adams (28 receptions, 498 yards). The Dons’ defense is anchored by junior linebacker Cole Mosier (9.9 tackles per game) and senior linebacker Mason Gibson (9.8 tackles per game) as well as senior defensive end Harper Rudolph (2 sacks, 2.8 tackles per game, ) and senior defensive back Derek Seiss and junior defensive backs Jesse League and Khary Adams (3 interceptions apiece).

Email Gerry Jackson at gjackson@CatholicReview.org

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