Austin Prep to Participate in High School Football Presented by Cross Insurance at Fenway Park Thanksgiving Week

Inaugural NEPSAC season will conclude at Fenway Park with Wednesday, November 23 matchup against former Catholic Central League rival St. Mary’s of Lynn

Fenway Sports Management announced today the return of High School Football at Fenway presented by Cross Insurance, highlighted by the match-up between former Catholic Central League (CCL) rivals Austin Prep and St. Mary’s of Lynn on Wednesday, November 23 at 1:30 p.m. A total of five games will be played in the series, with a double header scheduled for November 22 and a triple header scheduled for November 23.

“We are thrilled to host high school football once again at Fenway Park,” Fenway Sports Management President Mark Lev said in a statement released this morning. “Thanksgiving rivalry games are always a highlight of the high school football season and adding the iconic backdrop of Fenway Park will only make the occasion more special for the players, coaches, and fans. We look forward to welcoming the communities and football fans to the Park to celebrate this time-honored tradition.” 

“It's an absolute honor for Austin Prep to be selected to play football at the most historic stadium in sports,” Austin Prep Director of Athletics Patrick Driscoll added. “It will be a great experience for our entire community that will create lifelong memories.” 

Austin Prep’s participation in the series adds to a long history of high school football at America’s most beloved ballpark. Fenway began hosting high school football shortly after its opening in 1912. High school football games ended at Fenway in 1935, followed by an 80-year absence until its return to the ballpark in 2015. Matchups typically include hometown teams showcasing rivalries.

“Playing in historic Fenway Park is a great opportunity for our student-athletes at Austin Prep,” Head Football Coach John Florence stated. “It is a unique opportunity that not many other high school football players get to experience. I'm sure there will be a great crowd and the atmosphere will be electric.  St. Mary's is a well-coached program and it will hopefully be a great game.”

General admission tickets are available for purchase at www.redsox.com/highschoolfootball starting at $20/ticket for each day, providing access to the day’s games, with 25 percent of every ticket sold given back to the school each patron is supporting.

Austin Prep begins its inaugural season in the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) Tuesday, August 30^th when players report to campus for preseason camp. A member of the Evergreen League, Austin Prep will play a nine-game regular season schedule, kicking off at home on Saturday, September 24^th against Dexter Southfield at 6:00 p.m.

“The chance to play in the NEPSAC gives our student-athletes the chance to compete against some of the top talent in New England in true prep school settings,” Florence noted. “This will help our current players gain more exposure to college coaches and hopefully draw more multi-sport athletes to Austin Prep, which is a special place with great culture. I look forward to the football program and other teams continuing to grow and excel in this new organization.”

A full schedule for High School Football at Fenway presented by Cross Insurance can be found below:

*Approximate time – Games 2 and 3 will kick off 40 minutes after the conclusion of the preceding contest

In January, Austin Prep announced a transition of all the school’s athletic programs to the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) beginning in the 2022-23 academic year. Austin Prep is an independent, Augustinian Catholic school serving young men and women in grade 6-12, located in Reading, Massachusetts.