By Rich Chrampanis
MIDDLETOWN – It seemed like the entirety of Middletown gathered for the pageantry and tradition of North against South Thanksgiving Day, and this time, history was rewritten.
The Lions scored a 7-6 win over the Eagles, capturing just their second Thanksgiving victory this century and snapping Middletown South’s stranglehold on the holiday rivalry. The Eagles had won 24 of the previous 25 Turkey Day matchups, but Steve Bush’s Lions – who had already defeated South on Halloween in the state playoffs – proved lightning could strike twice.
South came out firing on its opening drive. Quarterback Luca D’Onofrio connected with Josh Antonucci on a beautiful play-action pass for 37 yards, setting up Justin Rosado’s 1-yard touchdown plunge. The missed extra point would prove costly as the Eagles took a 6-0 lead.
The Lions had chances to answer but couldn’t capitalize. Seamus Montague’s 41-yard field goal attempt was blocked by Michael Mullane and the Eagles’ special teams unit. Despite excellent field position following a fumble recovery by Brayden Marcotte, North missed a short field goal before halftime.
North’s defense was sensational after surrendering the opening score. Cade Little was disruptive throughout, while Anthony Christiani picked off D’Onofrio in the third quarter – the third turnover forced by the Lions’ defense. Yet North continued to sputter offensively, failing to convert on fourth down from the 14-yard line to end the third quarter.
Entering the fourth quarter down 6-0, the Lions’ Thanksgiving dreams appeared to be fading like so many times before. Then came the moment that will be talked about for years to come in Lions country.
Facing fourth-and-three from the 38-yard line, quarterback Owen Robson hit Danny Sigler for 18 crucial yards. Suddenly, North was alive. Then Robson delivered a gorgeous 20-yard touchdown pass to senior tight end Ryan Clark. Montague’s extra point gave the Lions a 7-6 lead with 7:02 remaining.
D’Onofrio and the Eagles mounted one final drive, with the quarterback scrambling twice to move South into Lions territory. On fourth-and-2 from the 6-yard line with under three minutes remaining, Michael Marinich attempted a 23-yard field goal in difficult, windy conditions.
The kick sailed wide left.
North Nation erupted in celebration. The Lions had done the unthinkable – not just once, but twice in one season against their dominant rivals.
North’s season turned around, starting with a playoff win against South, followed by an upset of Manalapan to reach the Central Jersey Group 4 finals before being shut out by Brick Memorial.
“Making history is always a really big thing and we’re going to be known for that in the history books for our school,” Robson said. “Obviously, it’s a great rivalry, but over the years it’s been tough going home on Thanksgiving, eating and being a little bit sad, but this year we’re going to eat this turkey real good. It’s going to be really good.”
Clark, who caught the game-winning touchdown, reflected on the team’s journey. “It means a lot. Right from the beginning of the year, we had great chemistry the whole year. Came together at the end of the year, especially in the playoffs. (We) went to the sectional and ended up losing, but we really had to come together for the last game.”
Thanksgiving football has gone by the wayside for most of the state. With the state adopting a true state champion format in expanded playoffs, many schools have moved their rivalry games earlier in the regular season. Middletown North and Middletown South appear to have no desire to abandon what has become a special morning every late November. The overflow crowd and big-game feel of what is essentially a meaningless regular-season game prove it is meaningful to both sides.
For head coach Steve Bush, who was moved to tears during his postgame interview, the victory was everything. “There’s nothing better. Nothing better,” Bush said. “Just so happy for our seniors and those kids who worked so hard to get where we were.”
The article originally appeared in the December 4 – 10, 2025 print edition of The Two River Times.
