Giving thanks for Easton vs. Phillipsburg

Turkey Day tradition is on for the 114th time — but at Stateliners’ Maloney Stadium

In a joint statement released on Friday, the Phillipsburg School District and Easton Area School District announced that the 114th annual Thanksgiving Day Game between the Stateliners and Red Rovers football teams will be played as scheduled on Thursday, Nov. 26.

However, the game will be played at Maloney Stadium at Phillipsburg High School.

Lafayette College’s Fisher Stadium, which has been the site of the game for more than 100 years, will continue the tradition in the future as the game’s host.

However, COVID-19 restrictions on the Lafayette campus made it unavailable for this year’s game.

Lafayette is restricting visitor access as part of its strategy to limit the spread of the coronavirus with no classes being held in person, its athletic teams not competing, andartistic performances and guest lectures being delivered virtually.

The release said Easton and Phillipsburg fully support Lafayette’s decision and continue to be extremely grateful and appreciative for the college’s assistance and willingness to allow this annual football game to be played at its facility.

The joint statement added “although many more details will be forthcoming, we can inform both communities that, currently, outdoor gatherings are limited to 500 persons in New Jersey, not including those on the playing field. We do not see that number increasing prior to the game, and it is highly likely that only essential game operations personnel, coaching staff, and families of the players, cheerleaders, and band will be admitted to the game.

“Unfortunately, we do not anticipate any tickets for the general public. However, the game will be televised and streamed live online to the community. “

The schools said it understood “this is difficult news for the many passionate Stateliners and Red Rovers fans that have been attending this game for decades. This is not an easy decision or one taken lightly by either district.”

Given the restrictions in place in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey, the release said, the health and safety of the players, coaches, staff, fans and both communities remains at the forefront of their thinking.

“The football players, cheerleaders, dance team, band and coaching staff for both teams are excited to be able to continue this historic rivalry at Phillipsburg High School,” it concluded.