The oldest high school rivalry in the United States was a victim to COVID-19 as the Boston English High and Boston Latin School football game got the kibosh on Thanksgiving Day – the first time since 1887 that it was not played.
However, a lively group of young and “experienced” alums from JP’s English High School turned out at Harvard Stadium – where the annual tilt is played – to keep the wheels turning in some fashion and to jokingly claim victory for the 2020 game due to a forfeit by Latin.
It was all done in jest, of course, said Michael Thomas, director of the English High School Alumni Association. Thomas said a group of alums had been chatting on Facebook about their favorite games and memories from the rivalry. Then, some got the idea to stage a stunt at the Stadium and get together in a socially-distant formation to carry on the rivalry in some fashion.
“For a little fun to mark this sad occasion, a group of dedicated EHS alumni, coaches, players and friends came together- in a socially distanced formation- to let Latin know that the rivalry lives,” said Thomas.
Seen in the photos are EHS alumni Larry Ayers, ’64; Greg Hayes, ’67; Barry Hickman, ’63; Jerry Sybertz, ’69; John Talbot, ’68; Mike Thomas, ’67; Adam Wasylshyn, ‘65 and Frank Williams, ’67. They were joined by current EHS Head Coach Ryan Conway, Offensive Coach Anthony Whitney, player Mark Osorio, and Bill Stewart II, son of legendary English Coach Bill Stewart.
English High alums stage fun “game” on Thanksgiving English High School, founded in 1821, was the first public high school in the U.S. and is planning a big celebration to mark its 200th Anniversary in the Fall of 2021. Connect with The English High School Association through our website – englishhighalumni.org – to stay up to date on Anniversary Events and how EHSA is supporting today’s English High students. LIKE our page here on Facebook.