One of the longest Thanksgiving football rivalries in the Shore Conference resides in Middletown.
The Lions of Middletown North and Eagles of Middletown South have been clashing heads on Thanksgiving Day for more than 40 years, and the latest installment will come at Middletown South on Thanksgiving Day at 10:30 am.
The Lions won last year’s event at home after the Eagles, who lead the all-time series, 29-12-1, and the Thanksgiving series, 28-12-1, had won the previous 15 straight Turkey Day showdowns.
The Middletown North offense is led by junior quarterback Sean Glenn, who has thrown for 1,327 yards and 11 touchdowns. He is the younger brother of former Lion signal caller Donald Glenn, who is playing football at Wagner College.
Seven of Glenn’s 11 touchdowns have gone to junior wide receiver Aidan Campbell, who has 26 receptions for 647 yards. The Lions have a duo at running back in senior Connor Welsh and junior Connor Robbins, who have combined to rush for 1,211 yards and 21 touchdowns. Welsh has eclipsed the 200-yard mark twice this season (218 yards on Oct. 13 against Wall and 230 yards on Oct. 27 against Long Branch) and scored three touchdowns in a game twice (Sept. 8 against Neptune and Oct. 13 against Wall).
Middletown South senior quarterback Ben Kinsella had a career day when he threw four touchdowns in a 27-0 win against Toms River North on Oct. 20. He also ran for 66 yards and a touchdown against Manasquan on Sept. 22. Running back Vinny Condito ran for 58 yards and two scores in the 34-14 win against Wall.
Middletown North finished the regular season 5-4 overall and fifth in B North with a 2-3 divisional record. Middletown South went 4-5 overall, but finished ahead of the Lions in third place in B North thanks to their 3-2 in division record. The Eagles were shut out by third-seeded Long Branch, 20-0, in the quarterfinals of the Central Group IV playoffs.
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