It's a game that captures everyone's attention each and every year.
"The greater Baltimore community shares in this experience," said Calvert Hall Head Coach Donald Davis. "People come out in droves to experience the game. People watch it from home. It's become really a part of people's every year tradition."
A tradition like none other in Maryland high school sports.
The Turkey Bowl - the 99th annual meeting between rivals Calvert Hall and Loyola Blakefield.
The hype is real.
"The atmosphere is crazy," said Calvert Hall senior defensive lineman Billy Wooden. "This whole week has been based on the Turkey Bowl."
Cardinals sophomore quarterback Amir Jenkins is experiencing it for the first time as a player.
"To become a part of this organization and this program and to come in as a sophomore and to play in the Turkey Bowl - it just means a lot," he said.
Jenkins has been leading the Cardinals' offense since week five after senior QB Mike Campbell suffered an ACL injury.
Calvert Hall enters Thursday's game 11-1 overall and 7-1 with Jenkins under center.
He knows only one game matters now, the season finale against the 6-3 Dons.
"They don't back down, doesn't matter who they're playing against. They're going to go hard," said Jenkins.
"I feel like a lot of people are sleeping on them," added Wooden. "They're pretty good. But, at the end of the day, I think we're still going to beat them."
"Both teams got a great opportunity to win the game. For us, we're going to have to be fast, be physical, play smart, play hard, play together," said Davis.
The Cardinals have won the last four meetings with the Dons.
Calvert Hall and Loyola kick off the 99th Turkey Bowl on Thanksgiving morning at 10:00 a.m. at Towson University's Unitas Stadium.
As always you can watch it go down live on WMAR-2 and online at wmar2news.com/live.
Follow Shawn Stepner on Twitter @StepnerWMAR and Facebook
