For decades, Haverford and Upper Darby have squared up on Thanksgiving Day for the "Turkey Bowl". The two schools are separated by less than a few miles, and many of the kids from both townships have known each other for years. To say that this rivalry isn't historic and personal wouldn't be doing it enough justice, it's more than that.
Haverford leads the all-time series 48-43-6 that has spanned since 1921. The Fords have won the last nine meetings against the Royals as the last time Upper Darby bested Haverford was in 2009 by a score of 14-0.
The most notable match up of the decade was when the Fords and Royals met for the Central League Title in 2015. It was the first time that the two teams played for the title in the series' history and it did not disappoint. In a game that was back and forth the whole day and that saw high powered offenses dominate the day, it was a turnover by star Upper Darby running back Isaiah Bruce in the waning minutes of the game that changed the tide. Haverford would capitalize as quarterback Jack Donaghy would scramble for a 10 yard score that ultimately won the Fords the game 49-42. The fans and students stormed the field to celebrate one of the best games in Central League History.
This year, the Fords are coming off a historic playoff run going all the way to the district semifinal as the No. 12 seed before eventually losing to No. 1 seed Downingtown West 49-42. The Fords have reached 10 wins for the first time since that 2015 season and now are looking to be the first team to have 11 wins in program history. Despite all the accolades, the Fords are focused on one goal, to beat the Royals. That message has always been clear, year in and year out.
Upper Darby is 5-5, but don't be mistaken, this is a team that ended the season on a two game winning streak. It would have been three, but a failed two-point conversion against Central League Champ Garnet Valley stifled a chance for the Royals to get a huge upset victory. Two tough non-conference losses to Penn Wood (7-5) and Bonner/Prendie (9-2) set the Royals back early in the season, but they were able to bounce back and finish strong. It is head coach Rich Gentile's last game leading the Royals as it is sure to be an emotional day for both sides as UD would want to do nothing else than send Gentile out on a win.
This is a day that means more than the X's and O's on the field to the people in the stands. The relationships and rivalries go back for decades. Wherever the game is played, fans and students show up in droves because they know the importance of this day. Not only is it a football game, but it's a celebration of unity on both sides, something you rarely see in high school football. That is why this rivalry will be played for years to come, and hopefully nothing will change that.
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