Turkey Bowl football rivalry will continue Thanksgiving Day for Calvert Hall, Loyola Blakefield

The Turkey Bowl will begin its second century without interruption.

The coronavirus pandemic led to hybrid learning and the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association decision to forgo sponsoring fall sports, but Calvert Hall College High School and Loyola Blakefield will renew their football rivalry for the 101st straight year Thanksgiving Day.

Tradition will be observed with a 10 a.m. kickoff and TV coverage courtesy of WMAR, but without the customary neutral field, as the game will be held at Calvert Hall’s Paul Russo Stadium. It will mark the first time the game has been held on one of the schools’ current campuses.

Spectator guidelines will be announced in the coming weeks.

The Cardinals posted a 33-10 victory in the centennial meeting last year at Towson University’s Johnny Unitas Stadium. Their sixth straight victory over their rival trimmed Loyola Blakefield’s lead to 49-43-8, in what is believed to be the nation’s longest continuous football rivalry among Catholic high schools.

Calvert Hall is a member of the MIAA A Conference, while Loyola Blakefield went independent a few years ago. Both are playing abbreviated schedules this autumn, as schools slowly reopened in September after being closed to students since March 16.

“Schools have overcome an incredible amount of disruption since March, which has brought elevated levels of anxiety for students, families, and educators,” said Loyola Blakefield president Anthony Day, in a news release from the school. “Although the pandemic has robbed our students of other elements of their school year, committing to this special event … brings our communities together in a way that celebrates a proud legacy of education in the Catholic tradition and the spirit of brotherhood and family that the game represents.”

Christian Brother John Kane voiced similar sentiments.

“After months of uncertainty, we are excited to officially announce Turkey Bowl 101,” he said in a statement from the school. “Generations of Calvert Hall and Loyola families have spent Thanksgiving morning celebrating these two great institutions, and we are elated for the tradition to continue.”

Josh Ward, Calvert Hall’s first-year coach, said in the school’s statement that the “Turkey Bowl is synonymous with tradition. Tradition evokes a sense of comfort and unifies a community. Our players, coaches and school community look forward to bringing a sense of normalcy to Thanksgiving Day and continuing the longstanding rivalry with Loyola Blakefield.”

Anthony Zehyoue, the Dons’ fourth-year head coach, said in the school’s news release that, “In this year, when so many of our community’s traditions have been cancelled or postponed, the opportunity to play the Turkey Bowl is a privilege and blessing. Our Dons and the Loyola community relish this game, and we look forward to preparing for the challenge.”

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