Per la Gloria della Partita
Per la Gloria della Partita: For the Glory of the Match
Picture yourself on a chilly Thanksgiving Day, witnessing people of all sorts in the stands or in their own homes tuning into the next iteration of tradition, the 103rd Turkey Bowl. However, as we experience the game, most of us do not know about the deep and layered history of this rivalry between Loyola Blakefield and Calvert Hall, the second oldest between Catholic schools in the nation. (And even though it is a rivalry, it is a showcase of support and community between two closely related schools, as Class of 1960 alumnus Mr. John Stewart explained to me.) Of course, the upcoming game will mark the 103rd iteration, so, allow me to travel back in time prior to 1920, when this competitive game was made official.
As Class of 1990 alumnus Mr. Tim Baier puts it, the game is “a long-standing rivalry between two schools that are more similar than different”. Back in the 19th century, Blakefield would be created near what was then Calvert Hall College High School. This closeness does not only apply to location, but also time, with Calvert Hall being created in 1845, and Blakefield in 1852.
Changes by both schools in the following years would not end the potential for competition. They would play football matches against each other in 1899 and 1904, usually finding space at a local park. They are not a part of the official series record, but it helped to lay the foundation for the competition. The friendly fire would culminate in the 1920 match at Johns Hopkins, a win for Calvert Hall with a 9-3 outcome. Larry Walker, the fullback for the Cardinals, scored the game-winner, a victory of irony due to the fact he played for Blakefield in the previous season. To become a Thanksgiving tradition, it took until 1929, and even then, the prolonged rejection of the tradition aspect of it remained, like the decision to not play it on Thanksgiving in 1970, the would-be 50th anniversary.
The day of thanks and the Turkey Bowl have coexisted since 1971, along with the different locations of the match to display the importance of the game. The game now takes place at Johnny Unitas Stadium at Towson University. Good moments have happened here: Mr. Brian Maraña, Class of 2000 alumnus and the current upper school principal at Blakefield, recalls the 2021 game in which Noah Bull caught the game-winning touchdown with only seconds remaining on the clock as his second favorite Turkey Bowl moment. But there are some iconic moments at other locations too. According to Mr. Baier, the 1989 iteration presented a load of snow on the morning of the match, making for a difficult drive to Memorial Stadium and forcing a delay as players and volunteers shoveled the snow. This is not to say that there haven’t been chilly days at Johnny Unitas Stadium. Mr. Chris Cucuzzella, a class of 1982 alumnus, talked about the first Turkey Bowl his kids attended, when the weather was cold enough that ice formed on the bleachers.
There is also the 1957 match, in which Mr. Stewart played, against the then-MSA champion Calvert Hall squadron. The 1957 Calvert Hall unit at line was incredibly dominant, led by a couple Notre Dame recruits. However, with the leadership and gutsy decision-making by head coach Tracy Mehr, the Dons were able to pull off the upset, a 7-7 tie. In the minutes that followed, as Mr. Stewart tells me, the fans stormed the field, with what I must assume was an exhilarating feeling. On the other side of the field, Cardinal players like Bob Krastel wanted this win more than the distinction of being MSA champs. All in all, regardless of location, the game has had defining moments all over.
There will certainly be more of these moments in this upcoming game, and there is a chance that they will involve either Maurice Ghee, Jayden Moore, or both simultaneously. Ghee and Moore are just a few of the many seniors on the active roster of the varsity football team. This will be their last Turkey Bowl as players, as they prepare to take their talents to the college level.
A scenario like this could be cause for a lot of pressure. However, as Maurice explained to me, that is not the sentiment with the team. “The focus is on the next game throughout the season, and there is not really a lot of pressure in practices,” he says. “There is a collective belief in ourselves that we can come out with the win.”
Jayden has the same mindset when it comes to the Turkey Bowl. “I try not to get caught up in the moment; it is just another football game,” he stated in my interview with him on October 23rd. As I talked with them both, they mentioned how they prefer to listen to calming and instrumental styles of music leading up to the game. They both said, it works well to keep them focused and ready to go, whereas listening to music with lyrics and fast pacing would create a detrimental sort of energy.
On the day of the Turkey Bowl, players wake up around 5:00 a.m., and they must arrive to the school at 7:00. The concept of eating breakfast seems to vary amongst the players on the team. In the case Jayden presented to me, he does not worry about eating breakfast. “Emphasis on the ‘definitely not’ [eating breakfast],” he quipped to me. On the other hand, Maurice does prefer to get something on his stomach, but nothing too heavy. He stated, “I usually eat oatmeal, with cinnamon, brown sugar, and maple varieties.” Come game day, the team is locked in for the task presented to them later that Thanksgiving morning. All of the distractions inside, and the process of going to work with a brotherhood, a family, shifts into play as they travel to Johnny Unitas Stadium.
Predictions from all of the alumni I interviewed ballooned to an average score of 49-38, Dons. That was largely due to the prediction of Mr. Baier, which was 100-99. The players did not focus on making a prediction, which I do commend, because they want to get into true action instead of making hunches about the game. (I will say that the score will be 19-14, Dons.)
In the games that I have seen this season, the team is predicated on a heavy run scheme, an offense that is similar to Army, Georgia Tech, and even Michigan. Running the ball at an aggressive rate, playing outstanding defense, and doing what you can to win the game. The games against Gonzaga and Palotti both had hot starts and near-collapses in the second half, proving some infallibility to this scheme. However, in a game that has these types of stakes on the line, this pace is textbook. It is going to be rough for either offense to get the big play, and especially through the air. This is a game that will be won at the trenches and with the stellar play of the backs on both squads. I believe that the Dons have the skill and the mental fortitude it takes to go all 48 minutes with their best efforts, and that will help them secure the 5-point win late.
To top this off, as I interviewed Mr. Stewart, he told me, “The only thing at Blakefield that is similar in terms of impact to the Turkey Bowl is the Kairos retreat.” A remarkable statement from an important figure in the history of this game!
This year’s Turkey Bowl will take place on November 23rd at 10:00, and tickets will sell for $10 each. Get yours here!
This year’s Turkey Bowl will take place on November 23rd at 10:00, and tickets will sell for $10 each. Get yours here!
