Kirkwood–Webster Groves Turkey Day Game facts for kids
The Turkey Day Game is a famous yearly American football game. It takes place in Missouri between two high school teams. These teams are the Kirkwood High School Pioneers and the Webster Groves High School Statesmen. Both schools are located in St. Louis County, Missouri. This exciting game has traditionally been played on Thanksgiving Day.
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History of the Turkey Day Game
Early Games: 1898 to 1923
The rivalry between Kirkwood and Webster Groves is very old. In 2007, they celebrated 100 years of playing football against each other. Records show that the first known game was in 1898. The game was not always played on Thanksgiving Day. It became a regular Thanksgiving tradition starting in 1928.
There were some years when no game was played. For example, in 1904, Kirkwood did not have a team. In 1918, the game was canceled because of World War I and a flu pandemic. There was also a break from 1924 to 1927. This break happened after a big fight on the field in 1923. Fans from the stands even got involved. Webster Groves won that game 7–0. This win gave Webster Groves a lead in the series.
Thanksgiving Tradition: 1928 to 1974
The game started again in 1928 and was played every Thanksgiving until 1974. It was one of the few Thanksgiving high school games allowed to continue in Missouri. Other similar games were stopped after 1950.
In 1975, the NFL (National Football League) decided to host a Thanksgiving game in St. Louis. This meant the Turkey Day Game was not played that year. This decision caused some debate. However, the Turkey Day Game returned in 1976 and 1977. The NFL's plan to boost the St. Louis Cardinals team did not work well. So, the Turkey Day Game became the only Thanksgiving football game in St. Louis again.
Modern Era: 1976 to Today
The Turkey Day Game was not held on Thanksgiving in 1980 or 1985. Sometimes, the teams played each other more than once in a year. For example, in 1983, they played two games.
A statewide championship tournament, called the Show-Me Bowl, made things tricky. Both Kirkwood and Webster Groves often compete for the state title. To solve this, the schools made the "Turkey Day Agreement." This agreement says that if either team makes it to the state championship, the junior varsity (JV) and freshman teams will play on Thanksgiving instead. The varsity teams will not play. This agreement was first used in 2002, and again in 2003 and 2006.
From 2009 to 2012, the varsity teams did not play on Thanksgiving. This was because at least one team went to the Show-Me Bowl each year. In 2010, the varsity teams played in the state semifinals before Thanksgiving. Webster Groves won that game. The JV teams then played on Thanksgiving.
In 2013, the varsity teams played on Thanksgiving again. Kirkwood won that game 44–0. Kirkwood also won in 2014 (33–6) and 2015 (42–13).
In 2016, Kirkwood became a Class 6 school. This meant they could play in the Show-Me Bowl and the Turkey Day Game in the same year. Kirkwood won the state title and their fourth straight Turkey Day Game (17–6). Webster Groves is still in Class 5. So, if they go to the Show-Me Bowl, the Agreement still applies to them.
The game was not played in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The rivalry started again in 2021. Kirkwood won their eighth straight game, 65–0. This game was special because both head coaches were black, which was a first for the series. Kirkwood, coached by former NFL player Jeremy Maclin, won their tenth straight Turkey Day Game in 2023. They defeated Webster Groves 65–13. For 2024, Kirkwood advanced to the state semifinals. This triggered the Turkey Day Agreement, meaning the JV teams played.
The Turkey Day Game switches locations each year. It's at Moss Field (Webster Groves) in even years and Lyons Field (Kirkwood) in odd years. As of the end of 2023, Webster Groves has won more games overall (58–56–7). But Kirkwood leads in Thanksgiving Day games (46–37–5). Kirkwood has won all 11 games since the varsity series restarted in 2013. The Turkey Day Game is now the last ongoing Thanksgiving high school football game west of the Mississippi River.
Turkey Day Festivities
The term "Turkey Day" means more than just the football game. It includes many fun activities in the week before Thanksgiving. Both schools have lots of events. The Friendship Dance is held every year at the school that is not hosting the game. This shows friendship between the schools. Each school also chooses a Friendship Queen and King.
Students in each grade decorate a hallway with a special theme. These decorated hallways are then judged. The week's activities end with pep rallies at both schools. These rallies happen on the Tuesday and Wednesday nights before the game. After the Wednesday night pep rally, there is a bonfire at both Kirkwood and Webster.
Even though it's a rivalry, the game is also about community. Thousands of people come to watch every year. Local news and cable channels broadcast the game. It has even been recognized by ESPN and featured in Sports Illustrated.
Game Trophies
Since 1952, a special bell has been the trophy for the Turkey Day Game. This bell came from an old train and was given by the Frisco Railroad Company. The winning team gets to keep the Frisco Bell until the next game. Kirkwood won the first Frisco Bell, even though the game was a tie. This was because Webster Groves had lost the year before.
Since 1940, the losing team has received the Little Brown Jug. This jug used to have the years and scores painted on it. Now, it has been replaced with the Centennial Jug, which shows the history of the coaches.
Broadcasting the Game
You can often listen to the Turkey Day Game on local radio stations.
- KTRS (AM 550) Turkey Day Game
- KWRH (FM 92.9) KWRH929.com
In 2017 and 2018, the games were also streamed online by KSDK (channel 5).
