Wellesley Snaps Needham’s Thanksgiving Game Win Streak

November 27, 2025

• Needham and Wellesley faced off in the 138th edition of their Turkey Day Rivalry. 

A tradition that dates back to 1882, Needham and Wellesley Football clashed on Thanksgiving Morning at Hunnewell Field in Wellesley and on a beautiful, though slightly windy weather day, the Raiders came away with a 20-6 victory. Senior Captain Bobby Shanahan lead Wellesley, rushing 17 times for 114 yards and a touchdown, as well as completing 11-of-19 passes for 117 more yards and two more scores.

The Rockets came in with a two game win streak in The Oldest Public High School Football Rivalry In The Country, but the Raiders still held a four game edge. With this year’s win, Wellesley now has a 67-62-9 lead in the overall series.

A year after advancing to the MIAA Division 1 State Championship Game, the 2025 Rockets struggled for wins most of the season, losing their first seven, before finishing the regular season with a win over Framingham, then knocking off Durfee and Newton North in a pair of Non-Playoff games. Hoping to finish the season with four straight wins, Needham struggled on offense, particularly on the ground, gaining just 38 yards.

Senior QB Tyler Langford, completed 13-of-28 passes for 135 yards to lead the Rockets. Receivers James Lalonde and Caden McNamee each had some big catches, with Lalonde making six receptions for 48 yards and McNamee getting four receptions for 49 yards.

Wellesley finished their regular season at 4-4, earning them the #8 seed in the Division 2 playoffs. The Raiders beat Plymouth North in overtime in their first round game, before falling to #1 seed Catholic Memorial in the Quarterfinals.

But they started strong against the rival Rockets, marching down the field on their opening drive and scoring on a 25 yard TD run by Shanahan. The Raider defense then came up big, sacking Langford twice on Needham’s first drive.

Wellesley took a 7-0 lead to the second quarter, where Needham’s offense had a long drive that took up most of the quarter. Langford found Lalonde on a 20 yard completion, with Lalonde using some nice footwork along the sideline, before being taken down at the two yard line. On the next play, Owen Gonzalez scored for Needham, though their extra point attempt was blocked.

With a 7-6 lead, the Raiders offense acted quickly, finishing the half with a touchdown pass from Shanahan to Matt Liebman. Wellesley attempted a two point conversion that was no good, so their lead at halftime was 13-6.

The Raiders added another TD pass in the third quarter, with Shanahan connecting with Tenney Charney on a one yard strike to make it a two score lead. They had a chance to extend that lead later in the third, but missed on a short field goal attempt, so it was still 20-6 heading to the 4th Quarter.

Needham had several opportunities in the 4th, but turned it over on downs every time and with time running down, Langford was picked off by Charney to seal the win for Wellesley, their first in the rivalry since 2022.

For highlights of the 138th edition of the Needham-Wellesley Thanksgiving Football game, check out our raw highlights, courtesy of our Needham Channel Instagram:

 

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