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High School Football:
Haddonfield-Haddon Heights Thanksgiving Game Marks 100th Year Rivalry

Thursday, November 28, 2002

By Vincent Lewis
SJSports Staff Writer

It was a site to see, as hundreds of former players and cheerleading were anxious to line up on the field to represent the year they participated in this classic football match. Haddonfield and Haddon Heights have been playing each other for quite some time now. In fact, this weekend's Thanksgiving football game was to celebrate the 100 years these two teams have been meeting since 1902. A pre-game show entertained the capacity crowd reflecting how important this football rivalry meant to the community. Haddon Heights and Haddonfield played a close game with the Garnets winning 9-7 on a Matt Licketto field goal.

There were hundreds of former football coaches, players and cheerleading attending the game that were involved in the pregame activities representing the year that they participated. The Bulldogs from Haddonfield even wore replica uniforms of the 1949 undefeated squad. Also in attendance were honorary coaches Jim Horner, Dick Eastwick and Bob McElwee who got things started with the coin toss at midfield.

When the game finally got started, it was time for the current players to make their mark into the history books. In the first quarter with 4:11 showing on the game clock, Heights Leroy Burroughs caught a quick pass from Don Newell and didn't stop until he crossed the goal line 63-yards away. The point after attempt failed, but the Garnets would take the 6-0 lead. Neither team could sustain a consistent drive and went into the half planning ways of putting points on the scoreboard.

Haddonfield responded in the third quarter with the air attack. Quarterback Kyle Turner hit Dan Silvestri for a 35-yard touchdown. With the extra point successful, the Bulldogs led 7-6. Haddon Heights would regain the lead early in the final quarter. Matt Licketto converted a 32-yard field giving Heights the lead back with 11:04 remaining in the game. Those points would be enough to finalize another chapter in this long-term commitment.

Photos by Mark Fletcher

Pre-game activities

Football Action Photos

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