Why this game is special: Long before the was a Barnegat or Lacey Township high school, Southern and Central played on Thanksgiving. This is the first time they have played on the holiday since 1983. The schools last met in 2005 with Southern winning 39-7.
Thursday's winner will receive the Boyd/Emmert Trophy, which is named after deceased Central coach Joe Boyd and former Southern coach Ron Emmert.
Southern update: The Rams are No. 8 in The Press Elite 11 and come off a 33-32 win over Washington Township in the South Jersey Group V quarterfinals last Friday. Rams quarterback Dan Higgins has thrown 13 touchdown passes, six of them to wide receiver Mike Gesicki. Southern plays at Eastern in a South Jersey Group V semifinal on Nov. 30.
Central update: The Golden Eagles stopped a three-game losing streak with a 28-6 win over Manchester Township on Nov. 11. Central quarterback Javon Hardy has rushed for 460 yards and 10 touchdowns. He has also intercepted seven passes.
Michael McGarry
Game details
When/where: 11 a.m. Thursday at Central Regional in Berkeley Township
Series: Central leads 21-17-1
