The Asbury Park-Neptune Thanksgiving Day game is one of the oldest rivalry games in the state and they’ll go at it again when Asbury Park hosts Neptune at 10 am Thursday in the 90th renewal of the Thanksgiving Day classic.
Born in 1908, the annual holiday game is as big a staple on Thanksgiving for these two neighboring towns as is the traditional turkey feast itself after the game.
Neptune leads the series, 49-37-4, including taking home the “Friendship Trophy” as the victorious school for the past seven straight years dating back to 2010. Games were not played during war time.
In a day and age when most Shore Conference Thanksgiving Day games have gone by the wayside in favor of playoff preparation, this one is as strong as ever and not going anywhere. Only eight Shore Conference games still exists on the Thanksgiving Day menu.
Former Neptune player and current Scarlet Flier head coach Tim Fosque is no stranger to this rivalry having played guard and defensive end for Neptune in 1989 and roamed the sidelines for 16 years as an assistant coach before being named head coach in 2015.
“I’m all for it for sure,” Fosque said of keeping the game on Thanksgiving. “There has been some talk about it being moved to the Wednesday night before Thanksgiving, but both towns and both programs are pretty much set on not breaking the tradition. Each school in the area has its own tradition, outlook and rivalries. Some teams don’t have that rivalry that is that strong. From day one, this rivalry has been very strong and that has allowed for our game to be played on Thanksgiving. The rivalry is as strong and passionate as ever.”
Asbury Park (5-4) is coming off a disappointing 28-6 loss to No. 1 seed Burlington City in the first round of the Central Jersey Group I playoffs as the eighth seed, and will be a heavy favorite to snap their Thanksgiving Day losing streak over the winless Scarlet Fliers.
Neptune (0-9) is in a transition year with first-year head coach Tarig Holman in the midst of rebuilding the program after three straight losing seasons, including this year.
However, you never know how this game will turn out as last season’s game proved.
Neptune was 2-7 entering the game and had lost four straight and six out of seven while Asbury Park was 7-3 and on their way to winning the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group I championship, but Neptune came out on top, 21-20.
The Scarlet Fliers defense scored the first 14 points and made five stops against Asbury Park inside the Red Zone and Malik Ingram scored with 1:15 left to play before quarterback Chase Fairbanks followed with a successful two-point conversion to flame the victory.
Fairbanks is back at quarterback for his final Thanksgiving Day game as a senior but he’ll need a miracle to lead his team to victory.
For the Blue Bishops, quarterback Ja’King Agostini has done a superb job at managing the team, passing for 896 yards and 13 touchdowns while rushing for an additional 169 yards and two touchdowns.
Senior slot back Donte Abrams has had a standout year, rushing for 661 yards and six touchdowns on 53 attempts and catching 27 passes out of the backfield for 358 yards and eight touchdowns while recording 52 tackles, three interceptions including one for a TD, and one sack from his free safety spot.
Junior running back Quadir Lawson leads the team in rushing with 832 yards and five touchdowns on 126 carries while senior wide receiver Javon Higgs added 18 receptions for 336 yards and three TDs.
Senior defensive end Kyrie Moore leads the team in tackles with 65 along with two sacks and two forced fumbles. Kharod Young (46 tackles), Alex Peavy (46 tackles), Jaylen Paige (42 tackles) and Junior Haughton (42 tackles) have all had stellar seasons for the Bishops on defense.
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