By: Shawn Dudley '21
Dunellen’s football season ends in an upset after losing to the Middlesex Blue Jays for the fifth consecutive year at the annual Thanksgiving Day Game. The match held on Thanksgiving Eve, November 21, at Dunellen’s Columbia Park, was the last game of the annual tradition. On and off for the past 20 years on Thanksgiving day, these two rivals have faced head on to finish off the football season. This year’s game ended with a 35-6 scoreline in favor of Middlesex.
The award, the Parenti-Vail Trophy, given to the winner of the game honors two star Middlesex players, Cliff Vail and Brian Parenti who sadly passed away at a young age, Parenti in 1999 (age 25) and Vail in 2000 (age 21). These two players had a massive impact on their community and the trophy is used to commemorate their accomplishments in football. This trophy, in particular, was very important to Dunellen. When asked how he felt about the outcome of the last Thanksgiving Games, sophomore and Dunellen football player Anthony Guzzi said, “Losing the Thanksgiving game after all the preparations we had endured was rough. Seeing the seniors so upset after their hard work had been wasted was despairing. We didn't deserve to lose, especially like that.”
Before the game, the United States national anthem was sung by Dunellen High School senior Jessie Devine. All players stood facing the flag, helmets off in acknowledgment. Soon enough, They lined up on the field and the game started.
The first quarter of the game started with the injury of a Middlesex player who had broken his arm and was escorted off the field in a gurney and not seen again for the duration of the game. However, his setback did not affect Middlesex’s performance as they scored the first 7 points of the game making the score 7-0.
Within the second quarter of the game, Dunellen scored a touchdown, however, they then failed the 2 point conversion. Middlesex scored another point in their first possession putting them at 14. Middlesex continued to lead the game, putting Dunellen at an 8 point deficit by the end of the first quarter. At halftime, Dunellen’s cheerleaders put on a show, performing a dance mashup which included the use of multiple songs.
The third quarter didn't bear any more points for Dunellen as they failed to score again. However, Middlesex continued to rack up points, gaining another 7 in quarter three and making the score 21-6.
The fourth quarter ended with a small quarrel between the two rivals after another 14 point gain by Middlesex, resulting in the disqualification of a Dunellen player. Shortly after the game, the winner was announced and Middlesex Head Coach, P.J. Jankowicz, was handed the Parenti-Vail Trophy honoring their win.
