Thanksgiving Football

It’s the Oldest Public High School Football Rivalry in the Country every Thanksgiving, Needham vs. Wellesley! Right here is your home for all of our broadcasts and specials relating to this historic rivalry that dates back to 1882!

Show	Description
2023	November 23, 2023 Needham capped off one of their best seasons in years. Less than a week after falling in the State Semis, the Rockets closed out their schedule against their oldest rivals. Needham Senior Tate Hoffmeister finished off a stellar season with an all-time Turkey Day performance.
2022	November 24, 2022 It's been a long time since Needham had a chance to host the game at Memorial Park, so it was a great way to end the season!
2021	November 25, 2021 For the first time in two years the Oldest Public High School Rivalry in the Country was played on Thanksgiving, from Hunnewell Field in Wellesley. And it was a true classic, going to overtime, first time in the rivalry since 2010.
TNC Thanksgiving Football Covid-19 Special	November 2020 This special looks back on the previous 20 or so years of Turkey Day football games between the Rockets and the Raiders. See our panel relive some exciting moments in the recent history of the rivalry, with Mike Levin joined by Mike Riley, Mike Fraini, Karl Schofield, Bill Dermody and Robbie Johnson.
A Game to Remember: Thanksgiving 1994	25 Year Anniversary: 2019 Mike Levin hosts a look back on this exciting entry in the Oldest High School Football Rivalry in the Country, with Scott Stevens (former TNC Play By Play Announcer), Roy Johan (former NHS Head Football Coach), and 2 captains of the team, Dan Hopkin and Dan Scalia.
2019	November 28, 2019 A rough entry for Needham as Wellesley dominated at home, culminating with a very forgettable finish.
2018	November 22, 2018 In the coldest Thanksgiving on record, the Rockets and Raiders had a fabulous back and forth that came down to the end.
30 Years of Needham-Wellesley Football on TNC	November 2017 Mike Levin and Chris Dugan host a look back on the first three decades of Needham Channel coverage of the Oldest Public High School Football Rivalry in the Country: Needham vs. Wellesley.
2017	November 23, 2017 For the first time since 2013, the rivalry returns to Hunnewell Field in Wellesley.
2016	November 24, 2016 Wellesley dominates Needham at Memorial Field.
2015	November 26, 2015 For the first time ever, the Needham-Wellesley Thanksgiving Football game is held at Fenway Park. It is now one of the signature contests in The Oldest Public High School Football Rivalry in the Country!
2014	November 27, 2014 For the fourth time in five years, Needham downed their long time rivals.
2013	November 28, 2013 Wellesley snapped a three year losing streak in the Oldest Public High School Football Rivalry in the Country.
2012	November 22, 2012 Needham picks up their third straight win in the Oldest Public High School Football Rivalry in the Country.
2011	November 24, 2011 A dominant performance by Needham, who was on its way to its one and only appearance in a state championship game.
2010	November 25, 2010 Overtime!!! The 2010 edition of the "Oldest Public High School Rivalry in the Country" features an incredible catch for the win!! Who caught it and which team won between Needham and Wellesley? You'll have to watch to find out!
2007	November 22, 2007 It took overtime to decide the 2007 edition of the Needham-Wellesley Thanksgiving Football Game. Look back on this classic from "The Oldest Public High School Football Rivalry in the Country!!"
2005	November 24, 2005 The Oldest Public High School Football Rivalry in the Country in 2005, hosted by Wellesley at Hunnewell Field against Needham.
2004	November 25, 2004 A somber morning in Needham provided the backdrop to an unforgettable entry in the Oldest Public High School Football Rivalry in the Country. It's Wellesley vs. Needham from Memorial Field.
2003	November 27, 2003 The Oldest Public High School Football Rivalry in the Country returns to Wellesley's Hunnewell Field. The Raiders get a big win at the expense of the Rockets.
2002	November 28, 2002 Wellesley and Needham meet in the 2002 edition of The Oldest Public High School Football Rivalry in the Country, from Needham's Memorial Field. It was cold and snowy. That is all.
1994	November 24, 1994 An overtime classic featuring one of the most unlikely game winners in history of Needham vs. Wellesley!