Warde Travels to Ludlowe for Ninth Renewal of Modern Thanksgiving Day Classic Next Thursday Morning

The ninth meeting of the renewal of the Thanksgiving Day football rivalry between Warde and Ludlowe high schools takes place next Thursday, November 28, at 10 o'clock at the Falcons' home field on Unquowa Road. The current series is tied at four games apiece after Ludlowe defeated Warde, 31-13, at Tetreau-Davis Field last year.

The Falcons enter the contest with a 4-4 conference record and 6-4 overall mark after defeating Stamford, 42-40, last Friday evening at Taft Field. The Mustangs own a 3-7 cumulative record and 3-5 conference mark after defeating Bassick, 43-20, last week.

Ludlowe is the favorite to make it two in a row and take the series lead with star senior quarterback Matt White in charge. The poised and talented signal-caller ran for two scores and passed for two more in last week's win over the Black Knights. He led the Falcons to last year's Thanksgiving Day victory at Warde.

I'll be the public address announcer for the game, so I'm sure to have mixed emotions. In fact, this is the second time I've been behind the microphone at a Ludlowe vs. Warde football game since the rivalry was renewed eight years ago. I was the master of ceremonies at the Warde field dedication ceremony during halftime of the 2006 contest at Tetreau-Davis Field.

Here are the cumulative results of the Thanksgiving Day football games between Warde and Ludlowe. The original series between the Crimson Eagles and Flying Tigers took place from 1975 to 1984. The modern-day series between the Mustangs and Falcons began in 2005.

Andrew Warde Crimson Eagles vs. Roger Ludlowe Flying Tigers

1975 to 1984

(Series: Warde 7 Wins, Ludlowe 3 Wins)

1975: Warde Eagles 28, Ludlowe Tigers 6

1976: Warde Eagles 20, Ludlowe Tigers 13

1977: Ludlowe Tigers 20, Warde Eagles 13

1978: Ludlowe Tigers 35, Warde Eagles 6

1979: Ludlowe Tigers 41, Warde Eagles 25

1980: Warde Eagles 17, Ludlowe Tigers 14

1981: Warde Eagles 14, Ludlowe Tigers 8

1982: Warde Eagles 23, Ludlowe Tigers 0

1983: Warde Eagles 26, Ludlowe Tigers 6

1984: Warde Eagles 16, Ludlowe Tigers 13

Fairfield Warde Mustangs vs. Fairfield Ludlowe Falcons

2005 to 2013

(Series: Warde 4 Wins, Ludlowe 4 Wins)

2005: Ludlowe Falcons 20, Warde Mustangs 14

2006: Warde Mustangs 21, Ludlowe Falcons 12

2007: Warde Mustangs 28, Ludlowe Falcons 0

2008: Ludlowe Falcons 10, Warde Mustangs 8

2009: Ludlowe Falcons 24, Warde Mustangs 14

2010: Warde Mustangs 21, Ludlowe Falcons 16

2011: Warde Mustangs 52, Ludlowe Falcons 13

2012: Ludlowe Falcons 31, Warde Mustangs 13

Paul