|
Head coaches Tyrone Turner of Roselle and Greg Dunkerton of Roselle Park will direct their respective teams in a final Thanksgiving Day game between the two teams on Thursday, Nov. 27, at Herm Shaw Field which is home of the Panthers. One of the great pieces of history in regards to game has been the 'Golden Shoe' seen in fourth photo alongside a 100th anniversary football at 2017 Turkey Day contest between the longtime Union County rivals. The shoe was held by either school that won three games in a row in series which dates back to 1915 but will no longer be played on Thanksgiving after Nov. 27. (SC photos and by JR Parachini)
This will be it. Not only will this be the final Roselle vs. Roselle Park football game to be played on Thanksgiving, but it will be the final Thanksgiving Day football played altogether in Union County. Period. The year is 2025 and in New Jersey we now, since 2022, play down to a single group state champion. As a result, with the season starting much earlier, slowly but surely most of Thanksgiving Day football has been phased out. No more Linden vs. Union, Rahway vs. Johnson, Gov. Livingston vs. New Providence. Last year was the final Plainfield vs. Westfield clash on the holiday, a series that lasted 120 games and was second in New Jersey only to Millville vs. Vineland, which is still intact. The final 2025 Union County football game will be Roselle at Roselle Park on Thursday, Nov. 27 at 10 a.m. at Roselle Park's Herm Shaw Field. Roselle Park is 5-4 and seeking a second winning season in three years, while Roselle is 2-8 and out to beat the host Panthers for a second year in a row. Westfield and Plainfield opened with each other this year and beginning next year will play on Week 8. Roselle and Roselle Park will do the same beginning in 2026. Before the Nov. 27 clash pre-game festivities will take place to honor the final Thanksgiving Day game played between Roselle and Roselle Park. Roselle Park leads the series 52-45-8, with this being game No. 106. The series began in 1915 and the only years the game was not played were in 1916, 1917 and 1918 because of World War 1, 2018 because Roselle Park only fielded a junior varsity team that year and in 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Roselle-Roselle Park Thanksgiving traditions include the Signorello Family Bonfire, the Roselle Park Dad's Club-sponsored sausage and peppers at Frenchy's Restaurant on the Wednesday night before the game and the Unico-sponsored Thursday morning breakfast which includes Roselle and Roselle Park dignitaries and captains of both teams. Roselle has been led by head coach Tyrone Turner since 2024, with his record at the helm of the Rams 6-15, including 1-0 vs. Roselle Park. Roselle Park has been guided by head coach Greg Dunkerton since 2020, with his record at the helm of the Panthers 22-35, including 1-3 vs. Roselle. Roselle Park has a 27-24-2 record against Roselle in games played at Roselle Park's Herm Shaw Field. Roselle has a record of 21-25-6 in games played at Roselle's E. Ralph Arminio Field. After Roselle Park won the 100th game played in 2017 by the score of 7-6 at Roselle Park, Roselle has won four of the last five. Since 1915 – for more than 100 years time – the Roselle Park and Roselle high school football teams have looked forward to doing battle against each other on Thanksgiving. Annual late Thursdays in November in that section of Union County, NJ take on the meaning of passing the ball early in the morning to passing the turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce later in the afternoon. In 2017 the 100th game was played. For the first time in the series the game was played at the same venue for the second consecutive season. It was Roselle’s turn to host that year, but Roselle's E. Ralph Arminio Field was under renovation. Since Roselle got its field turf and then lights, the game has twice been played at Roselle, in 2022 and 2024, the Wednesday night before Thanksgiving. The last time the game was played at Roselle on Thanksgiving Day was 2019. Roselle won the first five games in the series. The school that wins three games in a row claims possession of the Golden Shoe. Roselle was the last team to win three in a row, doing so in 2019, 2021 and 2022. Roselle’s 42-20 win at Roselle Park in 2016 enabled the Rams to produce their first-ever 10-win season. Roselle finished 10-1 that year after reaching the Central Jersey, Group 2 semifinals for the second time in three years. Coaches that led their teams in 25 games each were John Wagner of Roselle Park, who is Roselle Park Class of 1969, and Lou Grasso, Sr. of Roselle, who is Roselle Class of 1968. Wagner, the head coach at Roselle Park from 1981-2005, had a 14-10-1 record in the game. Grasso, Sr., the head coach at Roselle from 1979-2003, was 11-13-1. The lone tie was the last one in the series, a 0-0 deadlock at Roselle in 1985. Wagner, who is the winningest football coach at Roselle Park with a record there of 150-92-2 (.620), attended 51 of the games, beginning at age 10 when he was a student at Aldene Elementary School. Wagner was also an assistant coach on Geoff Hill’s staff for five seasons from 1976-1980. “The 1985 game stands out because it was a rare year that the game was not played on Thanksgiving,” said Wagner, who was also guided Point Pleasant Beach to its only sectional state championship in the playoff era when the Gulls captured Central Jersey, Group 1 in 2013. Wagner guided Roselle Park to the 1992 and 1993 North 2, Group 1 sectional state championships, the Panthers going 11-0 both of those years. “It was rained out on Thursday and again on Friday and finally played on Saturday,” Wagner continued. “At the end of the game, because of the rain and all the mud, players from the same team were tackling each other.” That game resulted in the eighth and final tie in the series and the seventh tie that was a 0-0 final score. “The game was always popular and in the late 1980s when the Roselle Park and Roselle Pop Warner teams combined,” Wagner said. “That drummed up more interest. “It went in cycles with the kids that we both had. It was still a great thing, with the college kids coming home and what took place at Frenchy’s the night before. “It was an annual thing where the kids played the game and then afterwards we pulled the equipment signaling the end of another season.” In the 1980s and 1990s both Roselle Park and Roselle played in state championship games that took place after the Thanksgiving Day game. That was the case for Roselle in 1981 (North 2, Group 1), 1989 (North 2, Group 2) and 1990 (North 2, Group 2) and for Roselle Park in 1980, 1985, 1986 1992 and 1993, all in North 2, Group 1. “Lou (Grasso, Sr.) and I made it a point to keep the game on Thanksgiving the years we had championship games that followed,” Wagner said. “It was important to both of us for the game to remain on Thanksgiving morning and keep the tradition going during those years.” The three times Wagner played in the game – his sophomore, junior and senior seasons of 1966, 1967 and 1968 – Roselle won in 1966 and Roselle Park in 1967 and 1968. “They were all exciting,” said Wagner, who also said that freshmen did not play varsity back then. “That was before the playoffs, so you knew it was always going to be the last game of the season. It was a big rivalry game for everyone involved.” The three games Grasso, Sr. played in were 1965, 1966 and 1967. Roselle also won the 1965 game, which was played at Roselle. He played for one year with his older brother Jerry, Roselle Class of 1966. Like Wagner, Grasso, Sr. was also an assistant at Roselle before he became the head coach. He was an assistant in 1976, 1977 and 1978 before succeeding Kenny Holmes. “It was the type of game that no matter how your season went you always looked forward to it,” Grasso, Sr. said. “It was tradition. It was the end of the season. “We had quite a few exciting games, me and John. It was a battle every year.” The first time Roselle reached a state championship game was in 1981 when the Rams got to the North 2, Group 1 final against Brearley. In the Thanksgiving Day game that year, Grasso, Sr. lost senior quarterback Tim Hansen to a broken arm, with Hansen unavailable to play in the sectional final vs. Brearley. “Some teams now play on Wednesday night and don’t play everyone,” Grasso, Sr. said. “Back then we played as hard as we could on Thanksgiving vs. Roselle Park, despite what the circumstances were. That’s just the way it was.” Top-seeded Brearley went on to win North 2, Group 1 for the first time in the playoff era in 1981, edging Roselle 17-15 in the final. “At Roselle we played every game like it was a championship game,” Grasso, Sr. said. When you pit neighborhood rivals against each other, especially on the same holiday every year, you can usually put everything aside. The Panthers simply wanted to beat the Rams and the Rams simply wanted to best the Panthers. “It was always a big deal for us and for me as a player and as a coach,” Grasso, Sr. said. “It was for bragging rights. “You went across the railroad tracks to play a big game every year.” MATTHEWS LEGACY FOR ROSELLE PARK CONTINUED In 2017 Roselle Park senior captain Sean Matthews, a three-year starter and mainstay on both lines for the Panthers, was one of four Matthews to have played against Roselle on Thanksgiving. His uncles Steve and Rob played for Roselle Park in the 1990s and his older brother Brian helped lead the 2012 team to the North 2, Group 1 sectional state championship game. Brian went on to play collegiately at Kean University. “It means a lot to be part of the 100th game,” Sean Matthews said eight years ago. “I’m just happy to be a part of it. There’s a lot of tradition.” ROSELLE RAMS (2-8) ROSELLE PARK PANTHERS (5-4) Roselle played two consolation games following its eight-game schedule. The Rams were defeated at Millburn 51-14 on Oct. 29 and then at home against Snyder of Jersey City 28-16 on Nov. 13. Roselle's wins came at Metuchen 18-12 on Sept. 13 and at J.P. Stevens of Edison 40-6 on Oct. 24. Roselle's last win at home and against a Union County opponent took place the night before Thanksgiving last year when the Rams defeated Roselle Park 46-14 at their Arminio Field on Nov. 27, 2024. Roselle Park played one consolation game following its eight-game schedule. The Panthers were defeated at home by Morris County foe Boonton 29-12 on Nov. 5. Roselle Park began 2-0 with wins over Middlesex and South River by a combined score of 87-13. Then after losses at fellow Union County schools Dayton and Brearley, the Panthers bounced back to defeat Middlesex County schools Dunellen, Highland Park and J.P. Stevens. Roselle Park then lost at Group 2 Spotswood 26-16 on the playoff cutoff date weekend, Oct. 24, before falling at home to Boonton in a consolation game. Roselle finished third in the Big Central Conference's four-schools Patriot Silver Division with a 1-2 record, its division win coming against Metuchen. Roselle Park finished fourth in the Freedom Gold's six-schools division with a 2-3 record, its divisioni wins coming against South River and then Highland Park. ROSELLE PARK-ROSELLE THE SIGNORELLO FAMILY BONFIRE ROSELLE PARK DAD’S CLUB-SPONSORED SAUSAGE AND PEPPERS AT FRENCHY’S RESTAURANT ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT THE UNICO-SPONSORED THURSDAY MORNING BREAKFAST THE SCORES: 2025: Roselle vs. Roselle Park - Thursday, Nov. 27 at 10 a.m. at Roselle Park's Herm Shaw Field 2024: Roselle 46, Roselle Park 14 - at Roselle (Friday night before Thanksgiving) 2023: Roselle Park 20, Roselle 14 - at Roselle Park 2022: Roselle 44, Roselle Park 2 - at Roselle (Friday night before Thanksgiving) 2021: Roselle 32, Roselle Park 14 - at Roselle Park 2020: No game because of Covid-19 pandemic. 2019: Roselle 50, Roselle Park 36 at Roselle (last game played at Roselle on Thanksgiving) 2018: No game because Roselle Park fielded only a junior varsity team. 2017: Roselle Park 7, Roselle 6 - at Roselle Park 2016: Roselle 42, Roselle Park 20 – at Roselle Park 2015: Roselle 41, Roselle Park 33 – at Roselle 2014: Roselle Park 29, Roselle 14 – at Roselle Park 2013: Roselle Park 24, Roselle 12 – at Roselle 2012: Roselle Park 28, Roselle 14 – at Roselle Park 2011: Roselle 27, Roselle Park 0 – at Roselle 2010: Roselle 35, Roselle Park 0 – at Roselle Park 2009: Roselle 35, Roselle Park 0 – at Roselle 2008: Roselle 28, Roselle Park 0 – at Roselle Park 2007: Roselle Park 28, Roselle 14 – at Roselle 2006: Roselle Park 16, Roselle 12 – at Roselle Park 2005: Roselle Park 21, Roselle 14 – at Roselle 2004: Roselle Park 35, Roselle 6 – at Roselle Park 2003: Roselle Park 13, Roselle 12 – at Roselle 2002: Roselle 14, Roselle Park 0 – at Roselle Park 2001: Roselle 48, Roselle Park 22 – at Roselle 2000: Roselle Park 19, Roselle 0 – at Roselle Park 1999: Roselle Park 20, Roselle 0 – at Roselle 1998: Roselle 28, Roselle Park 13 – at Roselle Park 1997: Roselle Park 26, Roselle 16 – at Roselle 1996: Roselle Park 29, Roselle 7 – at Roselle Park 1995: Roselle Park 12, Roselle 6 – at Roselle 1994: Roselle Park 7, Roselle 6 – at Roselle Park 1993: Roselle Park 26, Roselle 12 – at Roselle 1992: Roselle Park 28, Roselle 6 – at Roselle Park 1991: Roselle 26, Roselle Park 7 – at Roselle 1990: Roselle Park 17, Roselle 8 – at Roselle Park 1989: Roselle 6, Roselle Park 3 – at Roselle 1988: Roselle 22, Roselle Park 0 – at Roselle Park 1987: Roselle 28, Roselle Park 14 – at Roselle 1986: Roselle Park 17, Roselle 7 – at Roselle Park 1985: Roselle Park 0, Roselle 0 (tie) – at Roselle 1984: Roselle Park 14, Roselle 12 – at Roselle Park 1983: Roselle 26, Roselle Park 2 – at Roselle 1982: Roselle 18, Roselle Park 6 – at Roselle Park 1981: Roselle 6, Roselle Park 0 – at Roselle 1980: Roselle 22, Roselle Park 20 – at Roselle Park 1979: Roselle Park 29, Roselle 12 – at Roselle 1978: Roselle Park 22, Roselle 16 – at Roselle Park 1977: Roselle Park 14, Roselle 0 – at Roselle 1976: Roselle 14, Roselle Park 2 – at Roselle Park 1975: Roselle Park 0, Roselle 0 (tie) – at Roselle 1974: Roselle Park 10, Roselle 7 – at Roselle Park 1973: Roselle 26, Roselle Park 10 – at Roselle Park 1972: Roselle 19, Roselle Park 6 – at Roselle Park 1971: Roselle Park 40, Roselle Park 14 – at Roselle 1970: Roselle Park 21, Roselle 14 – at Roselle Park 1969: Roselle Park 40, Roselle 6 – at Roselle 1968: Roselle Park 39, Roselle 12 – at Roselle Park 1967: Roselle Park 15, Roselle 14 – at Roselle 1966: Roselle 14, Roselle Park 0 – at Roselle Park 1965: Roselle 21, Roselle Park 6 – at Roselle 1964: Roselle 16, Roselle Park 13 – at Roselle Park 1963: Roselle Park 13, Roselle 7 – at Roselle 1962: Roselle Park 7, Roselle 6 – at Roselle Park 1961: Roselle Park 19, Roselle 13 – at Roselle 1960: Roselle 26, Roselle Park 0 – at Roselle Park 1959: Roselle 28, Roselle Park 7 – at Roselle 1958: Roselle Park 32, Roselle 7 – at Roselle Park 1957: Roselle 13, Roselle Park 7 – at Roselle 1956: Roselle 14, Roselle Park 6 – at Roselle Park 1955: Roselle Park 12, Roselle 6 – at Roselle 1954: Roselle 13, Roselle Park 12 – at Roselle Park 1953: Roselle Park 20, Roselle 7 – at Roselle 1952: Roselle Park 18, Roselle 6 – at Roselle Park 1951: Roselle Park 12, Roselle 0 – at Roselle 1950: Roselle 25, Roselle Park 13 – at Roselle Park 1949: Roselle Park 33, Roselle 7 – at Roselle 1948: Roselle Park 7, Roselle 0 – at Roselle Park 1947: Roselle Park 0, Roselle 0 (tie) – at Roselle 1946: Roselle Park 12, Roselle 0 – at Roselle Park 1945: Roselle Park 32, Roselle 0 – at Roselle 1944: Roselle Park 26, Roselle 0 – at Roselle Park 1943: Roselle Park 25, Roselle 0 – at Roselle 1942: Roselle 9, Roselle Park 2 – at Roselle Park 1941: Roselle Park 0, Roselle 0 (tie) – at Roselle 1940: Roselle Park 7, Roselle 2 – at Roselle Park 1939: Roselle 6, Roselle Park 0 – at Roselle 1938: Roselle 16, Roselle Park 0 – at Roselle Park 1937: Roselle Park 19, Roselle 0 – at Roselle 1936: Roselle Park 6, Roselle 6 (tie) – at Roselle Park 1935: Roselle 18, Roselle Park 6 – at Roselle 1934: Roselle 19, Roselle Park 0 – at Roselle Park 1933: Roselle Park 0, Roselle 0 (tie) – at Roselle 1932: Roselle 13, Roselle Park 0 – at Roselle Park 1931: Roselle Park 0, Roselle 0 (tie) – at Roselle 1930: Roselle Park 0, Roselle 0 (tie) – at Roselle Park 1929: Roselle Park 51, Roselle 0 – at Roselle 1928: Roselle Park 20, Roselle 0 – at Roselle Park 1927: Roselle 6, Roselle Park 0 – at Roselle 1926: Roselle Park 6, Roselle 0 – at Roselle Park 1925: Roselle Park 6, Roselle 0 – at Roselle 1924: Roselle Park 21, Roselle 0 – at Roselle Park 1923: Roselle Park 41, Roselle 0 – at Roselle 1922: Roselle 19, Roselle Park 6 – at Roselle Park 1921: Roselle 29, Roselle Park 0 – at Roselle 1920: Roselle 28, Roselle Park 0 – at Roselle Park 1919: Roselle 39, Roselle Park 0 – at Roselle 1915: Roselle 81, Roselle Park 0 – at Roselle (Games were not played in 1916, 1917 and 1918 due to World War I.) SERIES: Roselle Park leads 52-45-8. 7 OF THE 8 TIES WERE 0-0 SCORES. LONGEST ROSELLE PARK WIN STREAK: (7) 1943-1949. LONGEST ROSELLE WIN STREAK: (5) 1915-1922 (first 5 games). AT ROSELLE PARK'S HERM SHAW FIELD – Roselle Park is 27-24-2. AT ROSELLE'S E. RALPH ARMINIO FIELD – Roselle is 21-25-6. ROSELLE SHUTOUT VICTORIES: 18. ROSELLE PARK SHUTOUT VICTORIES: 16. ROSELLE CONSECUTIVE SHUTOUT VICTORIES: ROSELLE PARK CONSECUTIVE SHUTOUT VICTORIES: LARGEST ROSELLE MARGIN OF VICTORY (81): LARGEST ROSELLE PARK MARGIN OF VICTORY (51): CLOSEST VICTORIES: ROSELLE PARK HEAD COACH ROSELLE HEAD COACH TOP 10 LONGEST THANKSGIVING DAY 1-Millville-Vineland, 153 years - still going 2-Westfield-Plainfield, 120 years - finished in 2024 3-Phillipsburg-Easton, Pa., 119 years - still going 4-Haddonfield-Haddon Heights, 116 years - still going 5-Barringer-East Orange Campus, 112 years - still going 6-Salem-Woodstown, 111 years - finished in 2021 7-Roselle Park-Roselle, 110 years - finishing in 2025 8-Middle Township-Lower Cape May, 104 years - finished in 2021 9-Ocean City-Pleasantville, 101 years - finished in 2022 10-Toms River South-Lakewood, 100 years - finished in 2019 Follow JR Parachini on 'X' @parachini_jr
Roselle players suit up before a 2024 pre-season scrimmage at Verona and Roselle Park faces Roselle in their 2017 Thanksgiving Day game.
Copyright 2005 Sideline Chatter - comments - contact the webmaster
|
|
