125th Annual Needham-Wellesley Thanksgiving Football Game Recap: The Rivalry Continues

With a scoreless last quarter, and a final score of 39 to 21, Needham claimed the 125th annual thanksgiving football game. 

Going into the game, Wellesley had the edge, with a 59-57-9 all-time record, Needham has two years straight going into this game--according to USA Today High School Sports. (There is still time to vote for the Needham-Wellesley rivalry for Best High School Rivalry in Mass, on USA Today High School Sports). 

See more of the football game on NECN. 

Were you at the game? Share Your Needham-Wellesley Thanksgiving Game Photos and impressions with readers by posting them in the comments or uploading them here.

The following was sent via Needham High School Athletics Director Micah Hauben, and is part of the Rockets Review: 

THANKSGIVING FOOTBALL
On Thursday, in the 125th annual Thanksgiving Day Football Game, Needham defeated rival Wellesley 39-21 in front of more than 5000 at Memorial Field!  Getting an astounding 291 yards and 5 touchdowns from Junior Mike Panepinto (#10 pictured below - finished as DI leader in TDs, 25, and yards, 2000+), the Rockets clamped down on defense in the 2nd half, giving up only 6 points after the break, to beat the Raiders for the third straight year.  With the win, and the Weymouth loss to Walpole, Needham ends the season as the BSC Carey Division Co-Champions at 8-3.
Thanksgiving Day Photos by Dave Arnold (NHS Boosters Photographer) www.davearnoldphotography.com

More on the Web:

• Boston Globe Story: http://www.boston.com/sports/schools/football/2012/11/23/needham-defeats-wellesley/izbj8LcZse3YLDmt5UeJSK/story.html
• Mike Panepinto Named Globe "Holiday Football Hero":http://www.boston.com/sports/schools/extras/schools_blog/
• Boston Herald Story: http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/high_school/football/view/20221123mike_and_more_panepinto_rockets_put_it_all_together/
• MaxPreps Story and Photos: http://www.maxpreps.com/news/RljVBRKvP0GS6JBlcl8SNg/turkey-day-wrap-usa--lincoln-goes-for-all-the-gravy-in-win-over-mission.htm

POWDER PUFF
On Wednesday (11/21), the Needham HS Senior Girls also earned a big win over Wellesley, winning the annual Powder Puff Game on the road 21-0!
Powder Puff Photos by Bill Danielewski (www.wgdactionphoto.com)

GIRLS XC 8th at NIKE CROSS REGIONALS
In the final athletic event of the fall season, the NHS Girls Cross Country Team took 8th place at the Nike Northeast Regionals on Saturday at Bowdoin Park in Wappinger Falls, NY.  In an impressive feat, the three top finishers for the Rockets were Freshman (Margie Cullen - 23rd / Julianna Donovan - 31st / Sarah Armstrong - 40th) and while the girls will not advance to the Nike Nationals (only top 2 teams advance), the future is bright for the program! Visit www.runnerspace.com/eprofile.php?event_id=301 for more details and information about the race.