New field for NFA / New London rivalry

New London, Conn. (WTNH) - Along with the feast football is a part of Thanksgiving for many. Even though Thursday was the last day of the regular 2010 high school football season, for one New London team this was their first true home game.

This is the 149th time New London and Norwich Free Academy have met. The brand new field was ready just in time for this Thanksgiving Day game - a tradition started in 1875 - but it wasn't ready in time for the start of the season. Puddling problems on the artificial turf kept the New London Whalers from four home games here.

"They took out some type of composite that helps with drainage," Principal Tommy Thompson said. "It was not sitting up right but now it's acting beautifully."

New London leads the series but that could be changing with a Wildcat win.

"Hopefully we can get a state championship," NFA fan Major Williams Jr. "We haven't had one since 1960 and we can do it we can do it."

Major Williams' son is an NFA assistant coach and Ned Kirk's foster grandson Tony Facchini is one of the team's stars.

"Very happy, very happy," Kirk said. "I don't know how many yards he gained but he must have gained a couple hundred I think."

The rivalry between New London and NFA is "really important to me cause it's my hometown," Lashier Edwards said, "and it's kind of sad how we lost."

NFA defeated New London 20-14 Thursday. Sad faces and big cheers depending on what side of the field folks were on. But the field itself has fans on both sides.

"Beautiful," New London fan Damita Elahi said. "It smells like a new carpet though. (laughs)"

"The field is awesome," Major Williams said. "I love it a lot."

The improvements at Cannamela Field go beyond this field. Also in the works a practice field, a field house, and new stands. Hopefully some of those will be ready for next season.