Canton-Stoughton football to play 100th rivalry game at Fenway

The Bulldogs hoist the trophy after winning last year’s rivalry game. (Mike Tureski photo)

The rivalry may have been going on for 100 years, but this year, when the Canton High School Bulldog football team takes on the Stoughton Black Knights, the field itself will be quite different.

Instead of taking place on Thanksgiving Day at one of the neighboring schools’ home fields, this year’s historic 100th anniversary game will be held at an equally historic site — Boston’s Fenway Park, home of the Red Sox since 1912 — on Tuesday evening, November 24, beginning at 8 p.m.

“What better venue would there be for the 100th Canton-Stoughton Thanksgiving game than Fenway Park?” said CHS Athletic Director Daniel Erickson. “It’s a classic venue for a classic tradition.”

Erickson said a number of people put in a great deal of work behind the scenes to make this event possible. “But in the end, the 100-year anniversary game between two rivals with such storied tradition sold itself,” he said.

Jeff Eckler, who was named the Bulldogs’ head coach this past offseason after a stint as interim head coach as well as several seasons as a varsity assistant, said it is an honor to play this year’s rivalry game at a venue as storied as Fenway Park.

“This is a great rivalry between two great towns,” said noted Eckler, a former Bulldog football captain and member of the CHS Class of 1991. “I can think of nothing better than playing against each other in one of the greatest stadiums in the world. The kids are ecstatic. It’s a great thing to be part of it.”

“We are thrilled to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Canton/Stoughton Thanksgiving Day game at such a historic venue,” said CHS Principal Jeffrey Sperling. “I want to thank the Fenway Group and all those involved in providing this opportunity. We are looking forward to what will surely be an amazing event for the student-athletes, coaches, and the entire Canton and Stoughton communities.”

“We hope to see many students, residents and staff at the game,” added Canton Superintendent of Schools Derek Folan. “This is a memory that our team and school community will remember for years to come. Let’s pack the stands.”

The Canton-Stoughton rivalry dates back to 1926, when over 2,000 spectators gathered to watch the Bulldogs and Black Knights begin what would become annual holiday tradition in the two towns.

Stoughton currently owns a 49-46-4 lead in the all-time series, but Canton has closed the gap with four straight wins entering the milestone matchup. This season, Stoughton has moved to the Hockomock League’s Kelley-Rex Division, swapping places with King Philip Regional due to recent enrollment increases, while the Bulldogs will continue to compete in the Hockomock Davenport Division.

The announcement about the 100th anniversary game being held at Fenway came one week before the Bulldogs’ season-opening contest at nonleague Holliston, which kicks off tonight, September 10, at 6 p.m. at Holliston High School. Canton’s home opener is scheduled for next Friday, September 18, at 6 p.m. against Norwood High School.

Fenway Park’s 2026 High School Football series is presented by Cross Insurance and also features matchups between Cambridge Rindge & Latin and Somerville High School (Nov. 24 at 5 p.m.), Durfee High School and New Bedford High School (Nov. 25 at 4 p.m.), and Xaverian Brothers and St. John’s Prep (Nov. 25 at 7 p.m.). Note: Start times for both the Canton/Stoughton and Xaverian/St. John’s games are approximate, as they are scheduled to begin 40 minutes after the conclusion of the previous contest.

General admission tickets are available for purchase at redsox.com/highschoolfootball starting at $20 per ticket for each day, providing access to both games. Twenty percent of every ticket sold will be given back to the school being supported. Dell Technologies Level Suites will be available for all matchups starting at $50 per ticket and can be purchased by contacting Michael Gavagan at mgavagan@redsox.com.

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