HANSON - November 27 - For over a hundred years, the Thanksgiving Day football rivalry between the Whitman-Hanson Regional High School Panthers and the Abington High School Green Wave has been more than just a game; it is an enduring cultural institution on the South Shore. This annual contest is deeply embedded in the civic history and family fabric of both neighboring communities.
This year, the two proud programs will write the next chapter in their storied history, marking the 114th meeting in the series. Fans, alumni, and community members will gather for the traditional 10:00 a.m. kickoff on Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, November 27, at the Dennis M. O’Brien Field at Whitman-Hanson.
Deep Roots and Historical Bonds
The origins of this celebrated matchup date back to 1910, and the tradition of playing specifically on Thanksgiving Day was firmly established in 1915. This longevity places the rivalry among America’s oldest continuous high school football traditions.
The natural competitive friction stems from the towns’ shared history and close geographical proximity. What is now Whitman was originally “South Abington” before officially gaining independence in 1875, and changing its name in 1886, creating the perfect conditions for a fierce, yet respectful, gridiron competition.
Historically, Whitman-Hanson holds the all-time series lead against Abington, with the record standing at 61-49-3 through the 2024 game. However, the series has been defined by dramatic shifts in power.
The Era of the Coaching Titans
Much of the rivalry’s profound emotional depth and intense tactical competition can be attributed to the decades-long “chess match” between two Hall of Fame coaches: Jim Kelliher of Abington and Bob Bancroft of Whitman-Hanson. Remarkably, the two men were high school teammates and classmates at Abington.
Jim Kelliher is a legendary figure who holds the unique distinction of being the only coach in Massachusetts believed to have led the same program for 50 years (1974 to 2023). He compiled 313 career wins and participated in 56 total Thanksgiving games during the rivalry’s 113-year history. Kelliher was known for preparing his teams with nonstop toughness and demanding they act like gentlemen. He considered the Thanksgiving game paramount, famously stating, “It’s no bigger game than Thanksgiving...You’ll remember this one the most,” often prioritizing the rivalry over resting starters for Super Bowl appearances.
Bob Bancroft successfully guided the Panthers for 32 years, leading the program through its most dominant stretch, which included an incredible 18 consecutive victories over Abington from 1984 to 2001. Bancroft’s teams were known for their physical, disciplined football, and he won four Super Bowl championships. Bancroft felt that Kelliher was the “toughest coach to beat because of how he prepared his teams”.
Today, their legacies continue through the MVP awards: the Jim Kelliher Trophy is given to the Abington MVP, and the Bob Bancroft Trophy is awarded to the Whitman-Hanson MVP, ensuring the legendary coaches remain a permanent fixture on Thanksgiving morning.
Games That Defined Generations
The rivalry has produced numerous classics marked by emotional gravity, clutch performances, and unparalleled community moments:
• 1978: The Dedication Game The most emotionally charged contest occurred on Thanksgiving 1978, when Whitman-Hanson hosted Abington in the dedication game for the newly named Dennis M. O’Brien Field. Dennis O’Brien, a beloved 29-year-old Panthers assistant coach and former player, had been tragically killed by a lightning strike at practice that September. In a remarkable gesture that defined the rivalry’s character, Abington coach Jim Kelliher told W-H coach Bob Bancroft before kickoff that regardless of the 24-16 outcome, the trophy would stay with the Panthers. Bancroft later reflected that this gesture “strengthened our friendship”.
• 2016: The 21-Point Comeback The Whitman-Hanson 29, Abington 28 victory is celebrated as one of the rivalry’s greatest rallies. Trailing by 21 points, the Panthers engineered a stunning comeback, culminating in W-H Coach Mike Driscoll opting for a two-point conversion late in the fourth quarter to win. Linebacker Mike Connors successfully carried the ball in from the one-yard line, clinching the dramatic victory.
• 2022: Casey’s Game-Winner The Whitman-Hanson 35, Abington 30 thriller delivered perhaps the most dramatic finish of the 21st century. After W-H jumped out to a 23-0 lead, the Green Wave stormed back behind the playmaking of AJ Nash (who scored on a 44-yard run and a 90-yard kickoff return) and Isaiah Ricketson (122 rushing yards) to take a 30-29 lead with 8:33 left. However, Panthers fullback Evan Casey responded with a decisive 50-yard touchdown run with less than two minutes remaining to secure the win.
• 2023: Kelliher’s Triumphant Farewell Jim Kelliher concluded his historic 50-year career with a dominant 46-6 victory over Whitman-Hanson. This 40-point margin was the second-largest in series history. The day was filled with tributes, including Bob Bancroft presenting Kelliher with the Silvio Cella Lifetime Achievement Award. Abington’s victory was powered by senior AJ Nash, who rushed for 123 yards and three touchdowns.
Players Etched in Rivalry Lore
The Thanksgiving game has served as a spotlight for athletes who delivered legendary performances, sometimes launching their careers further:
• Evan Casey (Whitman-Hanson): The Panthers’ bruising fullback delivered an all-time great Thanksgiving performance in 2022, scoring four touchdowns on 11 carries for 130 yards, including the pivotal game-winning score.
• AJ Nash (Abington): Nash was an offensive powerhouse across multiple Thankgiving games, featuring a 90-yard kickoff return in 2022 and his three-touchdown effort in Kelliher’s 2023 farewell game.
• Michael Reilly (Abington): As quarterback, Reilly led the Green Wave to victory in the 2024 “Mud Bowl” (18-6) and won the inaugural Jim Kelliher Trophy. During that game, he broke the school’s career touchdown-pass record. His older brother, Eddie Reilly, starred in the 2021 victory, throwing for 234 yards and three touchdowns.
• Dennis Lozzi (Whitman-Hanson): A defensive lineman who earned multiple All-Scholastic honors, Lozzi went on to play for Notre Dame’s 1973 national championship team.
• Sean Conover (Whitman-Hanson): A Shriners All-Star, Conover played on the Panthers’ 2001 Super Bowl championship team before moving on to play for five NFL teams.
A Legacy of Tradition and Community
The rivalry exists within the unique cultural context of Massachusetts, which hosts the highest concentration of Thanksgiving Day high school football games in America. The 10:00 a.m. start time is sacrosanct, allowing families to attend the game before their holiday meals.
Though Abington has recently held the competitive edge, winning four of the last five completed meetings (through 2024), the rivalry’s history dictates that records mean little on Thanksgiving morning. As two neighboring towns prepare to measure themselves against one another once again, the 114th meeting promises to continue a tradition where pride, emotion, and a century of history always outweigh the talent gaps.
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The 114th annual Whitman-Hanson vs. Abington football rivalry game takes place this Thanksgiving at 10:00 a.m. at the Dennis M. O’Brien Field at Whitman-Hanson.
Sources for this article include: AI based research tools, Abington News, The Whitman-Hanson Express, The Brockton Enterprise, The Patriot Ledger, The Boston Globe, and WH Athletics.
