Alan Greenwood

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, we offer a few Turkey Bowl memories.

Nashua High School had played on Thanksgiving against various opponents, typically Massachusets schools, for years. Then came the emergence of Bishop Guertin, which went into the 1972 game after falling to Somersworth in the Division II championship game. The Cardinals had already won the 1970 and 1971 Division III crowns.

NOV. 24, 1972 – “The first annual Turkey Day classic featuring the two high school grid teams in the city, ended on an even 12-12 note yesterday at Holman Stadium. The duel was executed before an estimated 5,500 chilly fans.’

” ‘They were behind twice but they never gave up,’ ” Bishop Guertin coach Dick Piwowarski said.

” ‘It will be an annual classic and a good game between the two Nashua high schools, as long as nobody blows it out of proportion,’ Nashua High coach Ken Parady said.”

NOV. 23, 1973 – After watching BG win the Division II championship, Nashua, going into the game at 6-3, was clearly unfazed.

” ‘We’ve never executed as well,’ Nashua coach Ken Parady said after the Panthers’ 41-12 win. ‘We blew them right off the line of scrimmage. I think we looked real sharp out there.’

“… Mike Brodeur and Jim Doyle of Nashua received the defensive and offensive standout awards. … Vic Young was the offensive star for BG while Bob Hurley was the defensive winner.’ ”

NOV. 25, 1977 – “On a cold, raw Thanksgiving morning, the Bishop Guertin Cardinals and the Nashua High Purple Panthers clawed their way through 48 minutes of exciting, thrill-packed football with the Cardinals fending off a last-ditch Nashua to win their first ever over the Panthers, 13-12.

“… Nashua quarterback B.J. Neverett found Steve Reardon in the end zone for Nashua’s second touchdown of the game with just 1:12 on the Holman Stadium clock. The 30-yard pass play pulled Nashua to within one and it was up to Panther mentor Ken Parady whether to try for the win or the tie.

Parady elected to try for the win and the Cardinal defense anchored the biggest play of the season.

“Neverett rolled right and tried to sneak in for the two-point conversion, but Kevin Hackett pulled Neverett to the ground, preserving the lead.”

NOV. 28, 2003 – “It was all about football, not about the future. And trailing 6-0 at halftime of the 32nd annual Thanksgiving Day classic, the immediate past was somewhat horrific Thursday morning for the Nashua High School football team in its battle with city rival Bishop Guertin.

“The Panthers needed some reversal of fortune, and they got it. Three BG turnovers helped them take control in the second half for a 16-6 victory, their 27th in the series, witnessed by a crowd of about 4,500 at Stellos Stadium.

” ‘What a way to go out,’ ” Nashua coach Scott Knight said as both teams finished at 7-5 overall after the final football game for Nashua as one unified high school. Nashua North will become fully operational next fall, giving the city two public high schools.

NOV. 29, 2019- “… The Panthers enjoyed a quick 13-0 first quarter start and also a 14-0 fourth quarter finish. South sophomore running back Josh Compoh had all the confidence in the world his team would bounce back from seeing North rally to tie the 16th annual Turkey Bowl 13-all early in the fourth quarter

“And he helped restore his own faith, as his 30-yard TD run with 7:32 left put the Panthers ahead for good, one of his three scores on the night.

” ‘When we were down 13-0, we didn’t give up,” North quarterback Sam Nicholls said. “Our team just kept pushing. Down 13-0, for us to come back and make it 13-13, that was huge for us.”

“Still, the Panthers captured their fourth straight Turkey Eve Bowl, winning all the games since it was moved to a night affair. They lead the Thanksgiving series 12-4, and the overall series 21-12.”