Needham, Wellesley to Play Thanksgiving Football at Fenway

Photo Courtesy: Needham Athletics

The oldest high school football rivalry in America is coming to the nation’s most beloved ballpark.

The Needham Rockets and Wellesley Raiders have been selected to play their annual Thanksgiving Day game at Fenway Park.

Needham’s captains Joe Gowetski, Ryan McCarthy, Lucas Goldman and Sam Foley, were joined by coach David Duffey Thursday morning, for a tour of Fenway after being selected to play in the special game on Nov. 26.

“When I was playing at Boston University in 1963, we were supposed to play Boston College here,” Needham assistant coach Roy Johan told the Boston Herald. “The day before we were going to play, President (John) Kennedy was assassinated and the game was called off.”

Needham and Wellseley will kick off their Thanksgiving tilt at 9 a.m. The game will mark the 128th meeting between the two sides.

Two other schools will take to the field at Fenway that day as well. Boston Latin will play Boston English. On Nov. 25, BC High will play Catholic Memorial and Xaverian will play St. John’s Prep.