PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — It was a Thanksgiving faceoff in Delaware County Thursday morning.
The Upper Darby versus Haverford Turkey Bowl game is always a big draw for students, families, fans and alumni, including Greg Lingo, who played quarterback at Upper Darby High School from 1988-1990.
During that time, he was part of some legendary Turkey Bowl battles against the Haverford Fords.
“In my three years we were 1-2 unfortunately. The history of it, it’s pretty even. We win our share, they win their share. Two great high schools with really talented kids and it’s really exciting to have been part of this,” he said.
The teams who have played more than 100 times play on Thanksgiving Day each year. For Lingo and his fellow alumni, it’s a chance to meet up, talk about the glory days, and watch the current generation play.
“It’s a fun little group to get together and we have that common bond of wanting to beat the Fords on Thanksgiving," he said.
Upper Darby class of 1992 quarterback Bob McLaughlin tailgated the game with some of his fellow alumni. He says this rivalry has helped unite their players and having the game on Thanksgiving every year really helps put things in perspective.
“It’s Thanksgiving and everyone needs to be thankful,” he said. “We’re not only thankful for our families but this is an extended family that we’ll have for the rest of our lives.”
Jack O’Donnell coached at Haverford from 1979 to 2015, so he’s all too familiar with the rivalry.
“It’s a lovely tradition,” he said, adding that it’s hard to pick his favorite memory from their matchups.
“We’ve had some great games against them. Sometimes it comes down to the championship like it does today and you got to love that.”
The Haverford Fords defeated the Upper Darby Royals in their 102nd meeting 40-0.