Unfortunately for the St. Paul/Goodwin Tech Falcons their turkey day game was postponed to today, but the sentiment is still there.

It’s been difficult for the program to develop a heated rivalry with any school because it’s been musical chairs for opponents.

For many years, the Falcons didn’t have a holiday game but that changed in 1984 when they struck a deal with Plainville.

For 15 years, the Falcons and Devils went at it.

But that matchup ended in 1999 and SPGT managed to hook up with Northwest Catholic. The lively four-year tussle with the Indians included some high-scoring games, but came to a close last year.

Come Saturday, the Falcons will break bread with another foe -- this time with RHAM of Hebron.

"It’s great to have a Thanksgiving Day game," SPGT coach Ben Lee says. "A family gets together for a traditional meal and that’s how we’re approaching this game, playing football together."

The game, to be played at Muzzy Field in Bristol, pits two programs who have struggled this season but for different reasons.

The Falcons (0-9) have been unable to stop anyone this season -- giving up 402 points this far including six losses where they have lost by 38 or more points -- while the Sachems (2-7) have taken lumps that go with most first-year varsity programs.

In 2003, RHAM, as a junior-varsity program, won eight of nine games, but "this season has been a learning experience and frustrating at the same time," says Sachems coach Pete Calin.

"It really hasn’t been a lack of effort," Calin says, "but at this level, the positive for our kids is the understanding now of what it takes to compete at the varsity level. They know they can’t get away with some of the shortcuts you can playing JV football."

Rivals, however, can’t take shortcuts against the Sachems who have a handful of play-makers -- QB Tyler Ware (13 TD passes), wide receivers Corey Harrison and Khalil Lane and running back Ben Schadtle (600 yards).

The Falcons do have a couple of players that could cause problems for RHAM. Kenny Byrd and Jamel Greenlee have been among the better performers for SPGT.

In fact, Lee admits that Byrd has become a more disciplined and determined runner in recent weeks.

"In the beginning of the year," Lee says, "Kenny was running like a JV back, not reading blocks or missing the hole. He’s rushed for over 700 yards since the first couple of weeks. He’s been our most improved player."

Overall, Lee is a little thankful that he’s wrapping up his first season as a head coach.

"It’s been a tough year," he says. "The kids have really taken a beating (mentally) so in preparation for this game, we’ve tried to do things to get their mind off of that."

The Falcons used a couple of days in preparation for the Sachems to have "a little fun," Lee says, admitting he donned the pads in a light scrimmage.

As rough as the waters have been, "the good thing," Lee says, "is that the kids have stuck together."