Westfield vs. Plainfield Rivalry Heads to Next Round of USA Today Competition

The Westfield vs. Plainfield football rivalry has received more than 23,000 votes as part of USA Today's "Best Rivalry" competition. They received the most votes out of any New Jersey matchup and will move on to Round 2 of the competition.

The two football teams have met on Thanksgiving Day since 1944, but the rivalry between the them goes back to the 1900’s, according to Bruce Johnson, a Westfield sports historian.

Thursday's Thanksgiving Day game will be the 109th game between the two teams, according to Johnson. It will kick off at 11 a.m. at Kehler Stadium.

"Thanksgiving games are special.  Many schools don’t play anymore on Thanksgiving so it makes our game even more special," Head Coach Jim DeSarno said.  "What makes it so special is that you get so many alumni for both towns back for the game.  So the game takes on a life of its own." 

USA Today announced a matchup between Westfield High School and Plainfield High School as a contender for their second annual title of Best High School Football Rivalry.

Each state has five high school football rivalries and only one team from each state will win and advance to one of eight regionals. So far, the rivalry has received the most votes in the state for Round 1. Voting for Round 2 will begin in four days. To vote, click here. 

The winners of the eight USA Today regionals, plus two wildcards will advance to a final round of 10 teams. 

USA Today’s “Best of” series began in 2012 with a "Best Rivalry" competition between Brookfield vs. Marceline in Missouri. 

Winners will receive $5,000 split in half by the two teams. For more information visit the contest page at USA Today.