The game is on ... at least for now.

At their monthly meeting Tuesday night, Catasauqua’s school board voted 6-2 to continue their annual Thanksgiving Day tilt with Northampton Nov. 27. During the meeting last month, the board voted to table the vote.

However, the future of the game remains in doubt beyond this year. Size differences in the schools’ enrollments and the lopsided scores led to discussions whether or not the series should be continued.

Northampton won last year’s game, 58-14, and the Konkrete Kids have won the last 10 games by a deficit of 32 points.

The Kids lead in the overall series, 64-33-4, and this will be the 100th anniversary of the rivalry that began in 1925. During the first two years, the teams played twice.

Catasauqua incoming senior lineman Chris Wellington would have been disappointed if he game was canceled.

“Yeah, I wouldn’t have been too happy with the game coming to an end,” stated Wellington. “It wouldn’t have sat right with me or a lot of people in this town. My best memory from the game would probably have to be when Chad Beller ran a kickoff 60 yards all the way down to the Northampton’s 20-yard line shedding maybe six tackles on the way there.

“I definitely do think there is something to look forward too. The town has been in overdrive making sure that their voice was heard and their thoughts on the game. As a player, I can confidently say that we 100% have a shot this year.”

Outgoing Catty lineman Jacob Ramos shared his former teammate’s sentiment.

“I don’t like the thought of the game ending,” he said. “I honestly feel like it shouldn’t end because people look forward to this game, the whole community. Catty does get it handed to them every year, but that’s no the point. We still put up a fight, and we do our best against a bigger school than us.”

Former quarterback and assistant coach Andrew Brett was glad to see the game reach its 100th meeting.

“I had great experiences playing and coaching in the game,” said Brett. “All of the events leading up to the game bring the community together, which is always great. It would be sad to see the game go. I understand both sides, and as a coach, there were disadvantages that we faced due to having significant less players than Northampton. It’s tough to field a scout team at Catty sometimes. Knowing that this is the 100th year, it would be great to see one last game this year to bring everyone together.”

Jacob Stopay, a 2014 Catty graduate and former cornerback and wide receiver, realizes the significance of the game from both sides. Stopay is currently an assistant coach on the Kids’ football staff.

“To be honest, I would be very disappointed to see the game come to end,” said Stopay. “Both communities value that tradition every year. I know the kids still look forward to playing in it, which in my opinion should be the most important consideration.”

Incoming Northampton senior and quarterback Gavin Taff has cherished his moments with the game.

“I think that the Turkey Day game is an amazing opportunity to get three or so more weeks to play the game that I’ve been playing since I was five with the same group of boys,” said Taff. “The seniors and I this year have a tight bond and that extra game at the end of the year allows us to soak in the last few weeks that we could potentially touch a football game as a player ever again.

“My favorite memory is the first-ever Turkey Day game that I was in as a sophomore. It allowed me to see all the emotions of the seniors in their last game as a kid.”

Tyrese Brandon, a 2019 Kids’ graduate and standout running back, also has his share of memories.

“The possible thought of the Turkey Day Game ending is a sad thought, said Brandon. “It brought the community together and brought alumni back that you might not see every day.

“My best memory of it was my Junior year in 2018 at Catty when the temperature was below freezing, and the field was a sheet of ice. I look forward to it seeing the football alumni guys back in town every year for it.”

Former Kids’ head coach Kyle Haas, who is currently the head coach at Executive Education, noted the off –the-field activities of the game.

“I never really believed the Thanksgiving Day game was about wins and losses,” said Haas. “It was about two communities celebrating the tradition of football. The ‘Bury the Hatchet’ banquet, Team Dinner, Powder Puff game, decorating houses and fan support were all positive. It was a class reunion for former football players from both schools. It’s obvious the enrollments have affected the competition.

“I see it from both sides. It’s will be shame for both communities if it ends.”