The Big Game is back at 'Berg.

For the first time in more than 40 years, the Turkey Day football rivalry between the Northampton Area High School Konkrete Kids and the Catasauqua High School Rough Riders will take place at Muhlenberg College.

The gridiron classic took place at the Muhlenberg stadium, 2400 Liberty St., Allentown, from 1930 to 1968.

The football game moved to the Al Erdosy Memorial Stadium in 1969 after the stadium was completed and the Northampton Area Middle School opened.

The cross-town rivalry game originally was held at Muhlenberg because there wasn't a big enough stadium to accommodate the crowds. Before Erdosy Stadium was built, Northampton played its home football games in a field across from Northampton Area High School.

The Turkey Day Football Classic dates back to 1925. It is the last football game played on Thanksgiving Day in the Lehigh Valley.

Last year's game, the 90th annual, was held at Alumni Field, Catasauqua.

This year's game was to have been held at Erdosy Stadium.

Ironically, the Northampton Area Middle School and Secondary Campus Renovation Project necessitated the move back to Muhlenberg.

"It's a one-time deal," said NASD Superintendent Joseph Kovalchik of the move.

"I'm pretty excited about it being at Muhlenberg," Kovlachik said at the Aug. 26 school board meeting.

The storied connection to Muhlenberg College extends to its alumni, several of whom have had prominent roles in the Konkrete Kids athletic program.

"We've had some important people graduate from Muhlenberg," Kovalchik said.

These include Al Erdosy, NAHS Class of 1932, football coach and teacher; Mike Lisetski, NAHS Class of 1931, baseball coach and teacher; and Pete Schneider, NAHS Class of 1938, basketball, football coach and athlete and teacher.

"It's a way to honor the past," Kovalchik said.

"There's an excitement out there in the community because it kind of leaked out [about the Turkey Day game location]," Kovalchik added.

School board member Jane Erdo suggested archival photos be gathered for reprinting in the game day program.

"It's something that we didn't plan, but it turned into a plus," Erdo said.

Athletic Director Todd Bowser, Northampton Area High School Assistant Principal Robert Steckel and Kovalchik negotiated with Muhlenberg officials for use of the football field, which is being provided at no cost to the district, Kovalchik said.

The use was finalized Aug. 23.

The Muhlenberg stadium capacity is about 3,500, with an additional 500 accommodated around the perimeter track.

The Erdosy Stadium capacity is 5,000.

Typically, 4,000 attend the Northampton-Catasauqua football game.

Board President David Gogel said he would like to honor Konkrete Kids sports alums at the big game.

The Northampton Booster Club will run the concession stand at Muhlenberg and derive proceeds.

The majority of security at the game is expected to be provided by the Allentown Police Department.

Sale of tickets to the game is to be announced.