Paramus, Ridgewood Football Play Final Thanksgiving Rivalry Game

Ridgewood and Paramus have played on Thanksgiving nearly 15 times over the past number of years, but this year is the last.  

Normally, this would be the final game of the season for both teams. This year the two neighboring towns will both be playing in State Championship games at MetLife Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 7. Ridgewood plays Montclair at 7 p.m. and Paramus plays Pascack Valley at 4 p.m.

“This Thanksgiving game has been the Super Bowl, for lack of a better term, for Paramus over the last few years,” said Paramus Mayor Rich LaBarbiera. “This one is special because this is the last Thanksgiving game these two teams will play because the league has decided to go in a different direction.”

Paramus was defeated by Ridgewood, who has dominated the series as the larger of the two schools, by a final score of 35-7.

“We’ve had a long legacy with these guys,” said Jack Foresman. “I think we had beat them 27 straight times up to my freshman year but then we lost. It’s cool that we end this rivalry here on our field.”

Unfortunately, senior fullback and linebacker, Foresman reinjured his collarbone in the game and could miss his team's championship bout at MetLife. His arm was in a sling but he was in good sprits. 

Tell us your best memory of the Paramus and Ridgewood rivalry game in the comments section below.