This year's Catasauqua-Northampton annual Thanksgiving Day tilt will feature a different look on more than one front.

For starters, the game will be played at Muhlenberg College's Scotty Wood Stadium due to construction around Northampton's high school complex.

Also, Catasauqua will be playing in a PIAA Class 2A state quarterfinal playoff game for the first time in school history that is scheduled to begin 51 hours later Saturday afternoon.

It will be a different Thanksgiving morning for the Catasauqua players and coaches as an equally coveted prize - in a different fashion - looms on the immediate horizon.

Yet, the Roughies realize the importance of claiming the hardware for the hometown hustle in which Catty has claimed the last two victories and Northampton leads the overall series, 54-32-4.

The Roughies registered their largest victory since they posted a 35-0 triumph in 1995 with their 52-21 win last year. When their annual clash is over, the Roughies will prepare for District 12 champion and Philadelphia-based Imhotep Charter at Germantown High School, Saturday at 1 p.m.

Until then, it is time for the Turkey Day tussle.

Catty (12-1) will enter charged from winning it first state playoff game with their 33-21 win over Lake Lehman last weekend, while Northampton (0-11) enters with a winless record and a 20-day playing drought since their last game.

For the season, the Roughies have averaged 43 points per game while allowing just 15 per contest. Contrarily, the K-Kids have averaged 18 points per game while allowing 42 points per contest.

Even though the game arguably a mismatch on paper, the Roughies won't take anything lightly.

"No matter what the record or circumstance is, we know it will be a dogfight," said Roughies head coach Tom Falzone. "They have had time to prepare for us, and they will come to play. We have a unique situation and we know what we have to do against them."

In spite of some disparaging numbers from the Konkrete Kids, Falzone won't judge his opponent on sheer numbers. He has been impressed by quarterback Nick Cook.

"Cook is a great quarterback," stressed Falzone. "He is the closest quarterback we will see since we played against Southern Lehigh's Trevor Edmond in week two. Cook is a running passer who makes everything go for them.

"They (Northampton) have been able to put up some points on teams this year. They can be a dangerous offensive team.

"It is great to go to states again, but this game and tradition has been around forever. I don't see us playing this game any differently because we have the game on Saturday. We can't go out and overlook them at all."

Senior running back Ra'Von Burton, who won't play in the game due to a season-ending knee surgery, has fond memories of the contest mainly scoring a 79-yard touchdown run his sophomore year to help his team break an eight-game losing streak to the Kids.

"There wouldn't be anything better than to be out there and help them win this game," said Burton, who finished the year with over 1,400 yards rushing and 20 rushing touchdowns this season. "But I know my team can win without me.

"Even though we have the playoff game Saturday, everyone will still be up for this game. It is special and everyone always looks forward to it. Everyone will be playing hard out there."

Fellow senior Jacob Stopay remembers last year's game in which he claimed a win during his brother Zach's final game in the series and as a Roughie.

"When we beat them last year, it was great for the town and great for my family," said Stopay. "It was extra special being on the field with my brother when it ended. Those are some things that you don't forget.

"We know it won't be an easy game with them (Northampton) and they'll come at us. We want to be able to stay healthy knowing we have another game in two days. We want to go out and get up on them early."

While some players believe the intensity level will register the usual seismographs, others have downplayed the rivalry and shifted the emphasis on the state playoff game.

"I feel we're more focused on the state playoff game," said lineman Tyler Trobetsky, who has been among the team leaders in tackles all season. "Considering we won our first playoff game in school history, we haven't been talking about (Northampton) too much. Our focus has been on (Imhotep Charter).

"Beating them (Northampton) can still be a big victory, but I really don't have a lot of lasting memories about the game. We just have to go out and take care of business."

Senior Derrick Bond knows the rivalry is still there, but it can also be another day on the football field.

"I think so," responded when questioned if the game is a battle between the two teams. "But in the end, it is still a football game and we have to play our best. The game has been special to me because it is played on Thanksgiving morning and everyone looks forward to it.

"I don't have any special memories, but I remember that it snowed my freshman year. We just have to get the job done."

Regardless of the outcome of the playoff game, Falzone is confident his team can complete their preseason prognostications.

"Beating them (Northampton) in this game is one of our three goals this season along with winning a district title and getting to the state playoffs," he said. "That would make part of our year.

"Winning this game will be for the players, coaches, and the town."