Kirkwood–Webster Groves Turkey Day Game

A referee called back all three of Kirkwood's touchdowns due to penalties, allowing Webster Groves to win the game 7–0.

The move drew controversy both in St. Louis and in the NFL (particularly from Dallas Cowboys president Tex Schramm, who wanted the games hosted by his team permanently).

The first time this would be an issue was the 1979 contest, in which Webster Groves played the JV squad for most of the Turkey Day Game, still managing to win, en route to the state title.

[3] In 1988, Webster Groves decided not to play the Turkey Day Game and chose to contest for the Show-Me Bowl instead.

To allow the game to not be canceled because of such conflicts in future years, the two schools agreed to the "Turkey Day Agreement.

[4] The Kirkwood and Webster Groves varsity teams did not meet in the Turkey Day Game for a four-year stretch between 2009 and 2012.

This is because every year in that time span, at least one of the two teams advanced to the Show-Me Bowl, thus invoking the Agreement and relegating the contest to a junior varsity match.

[10] (Webster Groves remains in Class 5 and thus must still invoke the Agreement should it ever return to the Show-Me Bowl; Kirkwood's promotion also ensures that neither team will face each other in the playoffs for the foreseeable future.)

The 2021 contest, which the Pioneers won 65–0, was also notable for both head coaches being black, the first time that had ever happened in the series.

[13] For 2024, Kirkwood advanced into the state semifinals, triggering the Turkey Day Agreement over the objections of Webster Groves varsity players.

As of the end of 2023, Webster Groves leads the all-time series between the two teams (counting Thanksgiving and non-Thanksgiving games) 58–56–7.

Since 1952, a bell from a retired locomotive, donated by the Frisco Railroad Company, has been used as the trophy for the Turkey Day Game.