Thanksgiving Plate No. 3: The Turkey Bowl

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dear Thanksgiving,</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Is there any more of an American holiday than you? One day a year, we are joined by family and friends that are overlayed on top of a backdrop of egregious amounts of hearty food and football. All the while, you synergize each of these elements like the ingredients to Grandmama's secret gravy recipe.- creating fun moments that last a lifetime. Only you, my beloved Thanksgiving, unites four of my favorite, fundamental F-words: family, friends, food, fun, and football.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Celebrating you in the state of New Jersey, you, my sweet Thanksgiving, represents something akin to an appetizer round - a precursor of sorts - to the main dish of NJSIAA State Championship games played in the immediate days after we celebrate you. However, in many cases people enjoy appetizers more than entrée.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Perhaps what makes you so special in some households are what you represent on the gridiron, my dearest Thanksgiving. Bitter rivalries are renewed. Bragging rights are either regained or maintained. Seniors have their last opportunity to leave their inalienable mark on their high school football programs; whereas similarly, underclassman have an opportunity to announce their arrival for the year to come.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>To you, wholesome Thanksgiving, I feature a handful of games this year played on your day that I find absolutely delectable - much like the bountiful feast you offer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With all my love and in all sincerity,</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brendan Mankarious</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Turkey Bowl: Holy Spirit (7-4) at Atlantic City (9-2)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Although neither team will conclude their season with the ultimate goal of a state title, both look to conclude their seasons with the last exclamation point they can.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Atlantic City, both the present and future are bright. The Vikings experienced a breakthrough season as they earned South Group V's top seed. Their only losses were to Cedar Creek - who will be playing for a Group III title - and to Kingsway in the playoffs. Furthermore, their roster is loaded with young talent at key positions and, you figure, to be back roaring to go after winning two games in the playoffs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It is a similar story for Holy Spirit, who despite having 4 losses, lost to perennial North IV power Northern Highlands, state finalists in Camden, Cedar Creek, and DePaul in the playoffs. For their efforts they were awarded the 5th overall seed in Non-public Group B, winning two playoff games themselves in victories over St. Mary's Rutherford and Donovan Catholic. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In terms of this rivalry, it has been one-sided for the last decade. Holy Spirit has won the last 5 contests dating back to 2020 by a combine score of 225 to 76. Furthermore, Atlantic City's last victory against Holy Spirit during this Thanksgiving Day was all the way back in 2017.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Top Players: Holy Spirit Spartans</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1054154' first='Ty' last='Costabile'], 2026, QB: </strong>154-288, 2286 yards, 29 TD, 5 Int, 36 carries, 160 yards, 1 TD</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='284061' first='Emanuel' last='Gerena'], 2026, WR: </strong>35 receptions, 701 yards, 10 TD, 6 carries, 66 yards, 1 TD, 36 tackles (32 solo, 1 for loss), 1 FF, 2 Int (2 TD)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1558127' first='Freddy' last='Marczyk'], 2027, DL: </strong>66 tackles (57 solo, 13.5 for loss), 11 sacks, 1 FF</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1054152' first='Taylor' last='Cartwright'], 2026, WR: </strong>41 receptions, 638 yards, 7 TD, 49 tackles (39 solo, 2 for loss), 2 Int (1 TD)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1227520' first='Dylan' last='Granzow'], 2028, WR: </strong>40 receptions, 468 yards, 6 TD, 27 tackles (22 solo, 2 for loss), 2 FF, 1 FR (1 TD), 1 Int</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Top Players: Atlantic City Vikings</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1938195' first='Marvin' last='Burroughs'], 2028, QB: </strong>153-2460, 27 TD, 12 Int, 18 carries, 55 yards</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ahmad Chambers, 2028, RB: </strong>58 carries, 545 yards, 7 TD, 5 receptions, 42 yards, 11 tackles (1 for loss), 1 Int</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1552382' first='Omar' last='Kelly'], 2027, DB: </strong>74.5 tackles (45 solo, 15.5 for loss), 14 sacks, 1 blocked kick</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1939127' first='Jaylen' last='Day'], 2026, WR: </strong>47 receptions, 818 yards, 9 TD, 1 carry, 2 yards, 1 TD</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Don'Taye Thompson, 2028, WR: </strong>38 receptions, 503 yards, 7 TD, 1 rushing TD, , 3-5, 76 yards, 1 TD, 1 Int</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->