Stonington High vs Westerly Bulldogs 1986 Turkey Day Game

Описание: Unfortunately, the wrong team won this one during the 1986 season, with Stonington prevailing over the Bulldogs, 13-0.

The Thanksgiving rivalry between the Westerly Bulldogs and the Stonington Bears is one of the longest-running and most evenly matched rivalries in New England high school football.

All-Time Series as of the 2025 game (a 56-14 Bulldogs win):
Stonington 74 – Westerly 74 – Ties 17

After 165 meetings dating back to 1913, the series remains perfectly tied — a rare feat in high school football history.

Thanksgiving Day Record:
Westerly 53 – Stonington 44 – Ties 9

While the overall series is even, Westerly holds the edge in the traditional Thanksgiving matchup — the game that defines this cross-border Rhode Island–Connecticut rivalry each year.

A Rivalry Defined by Eras

Early Years (1913–1940s)
Stonington built its early advantage with dominant defensive performances, including a 46–0 victory in 1914. Low-scoring games and multiple scoreless ties were common in the early decades.

Westerly’s 11-Year Streak (1971–1981)
The most dominant run in series history belongs to Westerly, which won 11 straight games. That stretch dramatically shifted long-term momentum and rebalanced the rivalry.

Stonington’s Resurgence (1989–1994)
Stonington answered with six consecutive wins in the late 1980s and early 1990s, many decided by narrow margins in physical, defensive battles.

Modern Era (2017–2025)
Westerly has taken control in recent years, winning eight straight games. During that span, the Bulldogs outscored Stonington by a combined margin of +253 points, including decisive victories of 61–0 (2018), 55–0 (2022), and 56–14 (2025).

Rivalry Themes

Historically defensive: Numerous 7–0, 6–0, and 7–6 games

Momentum swings driven by long winning streaks

Generations of players and communities invested in one annual showdown

With the series locked at 74–74–17, every Thanksgiving meeting carries historic weight. The next game won’t just decide bragging rights — it will determine who takes the all-time lead in one of New England’s most storied high school football rivalries.

Westerly vs. Stonington (Connecticut)

All-Time Series: Stonington 74 Westerly 74 Tied 17

Thanksgiving Games: Westerly 53 Stonington 44 Tied 9

1913- Tied 0-0
1914- Stonington (1) 46-0
1915-1920: No Thanksgiving Game
1921- Westerly (1) Via Forfeit
1922- Westerly (2) 21-6
1923- Stonington (2) 6-0
1924- Tied 6-6
1925- Tied 6-6
1926- Westerly (3) 7-3
1927- Tied 0-0
1928- Stonington (3) 25-0
1929- Stonington (4) 6-0
1930- Westerly (4) 12-0
1931- Westerly (5) 13-0
1932- Stonington (5) 6-0
1933- Stonington (6) 7-0
1934- Westerly (6) 6-0
1935- Tied 0-0
1936- Westerly (7) 8-0
1937- Stonington (7) 2-0
1938- Stonington (8) 7-0
1939- Stonington (9) 13-0
1940- Westerly (8) 7-0
1941- Stonington (10) 21-0
1942- Stonington (11) 44-6
1943- Stonington (12) 13-0
1944- Tied 6-6
1945- Westerly (9) 6-0
1946- Westerly (10) 6-0
1947- Westerly (11) 7-6
1948- Stonington (13) 30-0
1949- Westerly (12) 13-6
1950- Westerly (13) 13-6
1951- Westerly (14) 18-13
1952- Westerly (15) 33-19
1953- Stonington (14) 27-12
1954- Stonington (15) 20-6
1955- Stonington (16) 45-0
1956- Stonington (17) 20-7
1957- Westerly (16) 14-8
1958- Stonington (18) 12-0
1959- Stonington (19) 12-0
1960- Tied 6-6
1961- Stonington (20) 16-6
1962- Westerly (17) 15-12
1963- Stonington (21) 12-0
1964- Stonington (22) 7-0
1965- Westerly (18) 21-8
1966- Westerly (19) 38-6
1967- Westerly (20) 40-6
1968- Stonington (23) 7-0
1969- Stonington (24) 29-26
1970- Stonington (25) 12-7
1971- Westerly (21) 15-13
1972- Westerly (22) 22-0
1973- Westerly (23) 53-8
1974- Westerly (24) 22-14
1975- Westerly (25) 6-3
1976- Westerly (26) 20-0
1977- Westerly (27) 28-8
1978- Westerly (28) 2-0
1979- Westerly (29) 18-6
1980- Westerly (30) 22-19
1981- Westerly (31) 13-12
1982- Stonington (26) 7-0
1983- Westerly (32) 10-0
1984- Stonington (27) 13-8
1985- Westerly (33) 7-0
1986- Stonington (28) 13-0
1987- Westerly (34) 27-0
1988- Tied 21-21
1989- Stonington (29) 22-0
1990- Stonington (30) 35-13
1991- Stonington (31) 25-13
1992- Stonington (32) 7-6
1993- Stonington (33) 21-0
1994- Stonington (34) 7-6
1995- Westerly (35) 10-0
1996- Westerly (36) 47-8
1997- Westerly (37) 29-0
1998- Stonington (35) 7-0
1999- Tied 14-14
2000- Westerly (38) 24-17 OT
2001- Stonington (36) 29-16
2002- Westerly (39) 13-3
2003- Westerly (40) 35-21
2004- Westerly (41) 27-0
2005- Westerly (42) 30-12
2006- Westerly (43) 26-14
2007- Stonington (37) 20-7
2008- Stonington (38) 22-19
2009- Westerly (44) 30-0
2010- Stonington (39) 14-7
2011- Westerly (45) 15-0
2012- Stonington (40) 34-32
2013- Stonington (41) 33-28
2014- Stonington (42) 28-0
2015- Stonington (43) 25-0
2016- Stonington (44) 14-0
2017- Westerly (46) 34-13
2018- Westerly (47) 61-0
2019- Westerly (48) 28-7
2020- No Game (Due to Virus)
2021- Westerly (49) 28-14
2022- Westerly (50) 55-0
2023- Westerly (51) 51-30
2024- Westerly (52) 24-6
2025- Westerly (53) 56-14