Last Battle for the Milk Jug?

No one’s quite sure who owned it, but one thing’s for certain.

Whomever claimed this particular agricultural icon once upon a time as their own would likely be shocked to find out that modern-day school boys take to a field every Thanksgiving Day to battle for the right to call it theirs.

The old rusty milk jug, found in an Amherst home and donated to Souhegan High School and transformed into a trophy, has become the prize in the area’s longest running Thanksgiving rivalry this Thursday, when the Merrimack Tomahawks and the Sabers don the pads one last time in 2009 for a 10 a.m. showdown at Souhegan High School.

But how long the Battle for the Milk Jug continues past this year is anyone’s guess.

Thursday marks the 13th anniversary of the rivalry between the two schools, with Division III Souhegan now holding a four-game edge (8-4) over their Division II opponents. The Sabers have been particularly dominant in the last five meetings – downing the Tomahawks 28-13, 51-7, 21-6, 33-20 and 31-27 over that span – and now own a six-game winning streak on Turkey Day.

Though the teams may not exactly be on the same playing field at any time other than game day (the Sabers just won their second-straight title, while the Tomahawks celebrated after their second win), but both coaches are excited about being involved in a high school football holiday tradition.

Both coaches say their teams are ready to take to the field this Thursday, despite the long layoff; the Tomahawks haven’t played a game since Nov. 6, while the Sabers have been dormant since Nov. 15.

“I love playing Thanksgiving football and have never had an issue getting my unit, as an assistant, or my team, as a head coach, last year or this year ready to play,” Merrimack coach Joe Battista said. “This year has been my most enjoyable year of coaching and its because of the players. Through all of the ups and downs, they have remained consistently enthusiastic, and have had two weeks of spirited practices leading up to this game. I don’t need any rest or a break, I wish it was August again and I know my players feel the same way.”

Souhegan coach Mike Beliveau has been working with his players this week, and likes what he has seen from the Sabers.

“They seem to be more focused than they were last year,” Beliveau said. “Last year we had just finished an undefeated season and won the state title. This year, we are coming off another title, but we haven’t had to motivate them. I think they’re looking forward to getting out there one more time.”

The two coaches also have a history together in this game. Battista spent years as an assistant coach for the Sabers, and always looks forward to the chance to take on his former mentor.

“I look forward very much to facing Coach B, this means a lot to me personally,” Battista said. “I shared a lot of laughs on and off the field with (Beliveau), in my time coaching with him, and consider him a life-long friend – but not at the end of November. Hopefully it rains heavily from 8 a.m. ’til noon because that is what Turkey Day football is all about – rain, mud, and an old rusty milk jug.”

Beliveau takes a different approach.

“I look forward to the game, but in the way that I look forward to taking on a team from Division II,” said Beliveau. “It has nothing to do with facing Joe. I have great respect for Joe, and it’s no secret I wish we still had him on our sidelines. But there’s no mentor-mentoree thing here.”

It’s no secret what the Sabers have done this year. Steven Jellison and DJ Petropulos have racked up the yardage and touchdowns all season en route to a second straight title. Merrimack, on the other hand, is coming off another rebuilding season, as Battista lays the groundwork for what he hopes will be a string of successful seasons in the future.

“I thought on and off the field we took a big step forward,” Battista said. “We were a much more competitive team this season than a year ago. We didn’t physically get pushed around and most of our games came down to a handful of plays that were the difference in the outcome.

“Off the field we now have an established strength and speed program that is second to none. I have been able to get football players to do other sports – we now have 13 wrestlers, double-digit track athletes, roughly 10 baseball and 10 lacrosse players involved. We have a community service program in the spring and an overall team GPA of 3.0. I feel the foundation for the program is now set, with two more areas I need to get after during this off-season, and then my complete plan will be in place.”

Battista is very realistic when it comes to his teams chances against the champs, and what it will need to do in order to pull off what most would consider an upset win.

“Offensively Souhegan has many weapons,” Battista said. “They have tall receivers and speedy receivers. DJ throws bullets downfield, however the key is Jellison. If he runs wild, it opens up their whole offense. Our plan will be to play Tomahawk football, just do what we do.”

While it may be the area’s longest running Thanksgiving rivalry, Beliveau is very open about the real possibility that the game may not continue, and had a few comments on why high school Thanksgiving Day football games in general have not taken off in popularity the way they have in other states, such as neighboring Massachusetts.

“I don’t think they (the games) have grown in popularity, and I don’t think they will unless they are given a new level of importance,” Beliveau said. “I would love to see us and all the state champions head to UNH to play on the turf field, and have the D-I champion play D-II, D-III vs. D-IV, and D-V vs. D-VI, staggered throughout the day. We could each keep our titles, but those would be great games. It would give the kids something to play for, and the fans some great games to watch.

“As far as we go, our athletic director will talk with Merrimack’s athletic director at the end of the season and discuss the future of our Thanksgiving Day game, and we’ll see where it goes.”