Verona Superintendent Rui Dionisio says that after postponing the game for today and looking at conditions at Centennial Field, a decision was made to cancel the game entirely. The turf field is covered with 4 inches of snow and a layer of ice. With unfavorable weather conditions today, school and town officials have decided that Centennial would still have snow on it tomorrow.
The Verona-Caldwell Thanksgiving Day game dates back to the earliest days of both high schools. It ran for decades until 1987, but was renewed again in 2010. Last year’s game, which was to have been held at Caldwell, had to be moved to the turf field at West Essex Regional because of bad weather. Caldwell holds a 29-25 edge in the series.
The decision leaves the 10-0 Hillbillies to focus entirely on the state championship game against Cresskill High School at MetLife Stadium on Friday, December 5. The NJSIAA announced yesterday that tickets for the game are $9 for adults and $3 for students and parking is $12. No word yet on whether there will be fan buses from Veorna.
What a bushleague move by Verona. I went to the state championship game 3 years in a row and NO MATTER WHAT we would play Butler on Thanksgiving. Trimmer would NEVER give up and Cabell the game to save us from injuries or to “focus” on the state championship game. I’m embarrassed for the hillbillies. Always wondered how the school got its name but now I know. Hillbilly move!
It’s not bush league at all Dan.
Had either the lower field at VHS or Centennial been playable, Verona most definitely would have played the game. The team was looking forward to evening the record on the Thanksgiving game.
But with both Verona fields out of commission, Verona faced paying $5,000 to move the game to another venue. The administration decided–wisely–that that money could find other uses.
Caldwell should pursue the forfeit so the hillbillies have the well-deserved loss on their record! Absolutely poor form by all Veronas involved!