Stakes are high.
The victor leaves with a winning season, bragging rights and a place in local history books.
Thursday is the 100th Thanksgiving Day game played between Shelton and Derby high schools.
Both teams enter the arena with high hopes — and similar records, with five wins and four losses.
Derby
Derby (5 – 4) has won five of the last six games. The team’s only loss in that period was against Ansonia, where the Red Raiders lost the lead after controlling much of the game.
Derby is going for its first winning season since 1991 since 1996.
Derby head coach George French has set a specific goal for the team: have a winning season.
“We’ve been talking about it. 6 – 4 is our goal. We have nothing else on our mind, but getting that W. The kids are motivated and it’s going to be a good game. Shelton’s ready, they always are.”
French is on the verge of finishing his first season with Derby, and praised the team’s effort so far this season.
“We came on strong right after that Seymour game,” French said. “We had some injuries that hurt us a bit early on, but we are proud of the way things are working out. We are moving in the direction we want to go in.”
Shelton
Across the Housatonic River, the Gaels also want to score another win to close out their season.
Shelton (5 – 4) has won four of their last six, but has only lost once at home this season — an opening game loss to Wilbur Cross 32 – 21.
“It’s exciting. It’s a great tradition. Obviously, with the 100th year, it’s special; but it’s a special day anyway for both teams,” Gaels head coach Jeff Roy said. “We’re both 5 – 4, so it should be an exciting game on Thanksgiving. We both have good teams.”
Roy said the venue doesn’t matter, although “it’s nice to be at home.”
“It’s a great game, no matter where we are playing,” Roy said. “[Derby is] five minutes over the river, so either way, it’s a special game.”
The proximity means football players have most likely grown up together — playing against each other throughout the years and running into each other in the Valley.
The timing makes the students a part of something special — a game to be remembered.
“It’s crazy. I’ve been playing with these kids all of my life,” said Shelton captain Cody Kitson. “Now, coming out here actually playing high school football; my senior year, 100th anniversary, home. Can’t ask for anything better.”
‘This Game Means A Lot To Everybody’
Players from both sides are excited about the prospect of this game, but none are underestimating the task at hand.
“Thursday is going to be a really competitive game. Shelton is going to be really prepared for us, and we are going to be prepared for them,” Derby quarterback Ray Kreiger said.
This is the third Thanksgiving Day game Kreiger has participated in.
“I know how it feels to play Shelton in a big Thanksgiving Day game. It’s a lot of fun. It’s really competitive and a great opportunity,” Kreiger said. “It was our goal from the beginning of the year to have a winning season. It would be really nice to get it against Shelton, for the 100th game.”
“Everybody’s pretty excited. We’re anxious to get to the game,” Derby Tight End/Linebacker Zach Salazar said. “We definitely feel more confident than we’ve been. A winning record is special. If we can get that against Shelton, that would be great.”
Georgalas praised Derby’s passing attack, but believes that the Gaels defense will be able to stop the Red Raiders’ attack in the end.
“Derby should be good. They have a really strong team this year with Kreiger, Tomczak and all of those receivers that they’ve got. They throw the ball around a lot,” Shelton Captain Mike Georgalas said. “I think that our defense is going to step up. It’s going to be a great game.”
Georgalas added: “There’s definitely a lot of tradition behind it. There’s a lot of excitement because it’s our last game playing together. With all the people here that have played in our program, and in Derby’s program, it’s gonna be great.”
“I feel good. We’re working real hard, trying to get that turkey,” Derby senior running back Rashawn Hendricks said. “It’s gonna be a good game, but we’re kinda confident. [The coaches] have been working us hard.”
Shelton captain and quarterback Jonathan Groth said he thinks it will be emotional.
“It will mean a lot for the pride of the town. Derby and Shelton have played for so long,” Groth said. “This game means a lot to everybody that’s going to be here. It’s going to be emotional playing our last game.”
Shelton captain Ryan DeAngelis said he’s excited to be in the spotlight, after so many years of watching the Thanksgiving day game.
“I’ve been coming to Shelton-Derby games as long as I can remember,” DeAngelis said. “Now I’m finally at that stage where it’s my last game. It’s an honor to be playing in front of the alumni. I can‘t wait for this game.”
The game is at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday at Finn Stadium in Shelton.
