UPDATE: After a dominating 41-7 win over Watertown, the Raiders not only brought home the helmet, but also clinched a spot in the state playoffs for the second consecutive season. The first game of the postseason is Wednesday, December 3rd, against Wilton (away game).
The Helmet Game
When Torrington’s offense gets rolling, the Raiders tend to control the rivalry. The team has scored 34 or more points in each of its last seven wins over Watertown. The last time the Raiders beat the Warriors without hitting that threshold was in 2013, when they won 24–6.
Helmet History
This season’s 34-point victory (41–7) was the second-largest win against Watertown in program history. The only bigger margin came in 1975, when Torrington won 43–6. With this year’s win, Torrington now leads the all-time series 31–27–1. The Raiders have won back-to-back Helmet Games for the first time since their three-game streak from 2018–2021.
Playoff History
Torrington’s state playoff story began in 1983, when the Raiders faced New London for the Class M-II state title, falling 24–0. It would be 32 years before the program returned to postseason play.
In 2015, Torrington hosted a Class L quarterfinal but lost 33–6 to Wethersfield.
The Raiders made history in 2021, earning the school’s first and only state playoff victory, a 37–29 road win against Granby–Canton in the Class M quarterfinals. Their run ended in the semifinals with a 42–12 loss to Rockville.
Most recently, in 2024, Torrington hosted a Class MM quarterfinal for just the second time, falling 41–0 to eventual state champion Masuk.
Previous Report
Torrington High School’s annual Thanksgiving football game returns this year as the Raiders prepare to take on long-time rivals, the Watertown Warriors. Kickoff is scheduled for 10:15 AM at Torrington High School.
This matchup plays a significant role in whether the Raiders move on to the playoffs, making it one of the most anticipated games of the season. Still, Captain Anthony Cangiano shared that the team is focused more on excitement than pressure, saying, “It’s not a lot of weight on our shoulders, it’s just something our whole team is excited for.” Freshman varsity player Kevin Leavitt agreed, describing the event as “the game you circle on the calendar as soon as you get the schedule.”
Despite injuries and lineup changes throughout the season, players remain confident in their chances. Captains Evan Roman and Cameron Roxbury explained that everyone stepping up is just as ready as the next and that everything should run smoothly.
The winning team is awarded a decorated helmet that lists the score of every Thanksgiving matchup. The helmet currently sits in Coach Rodriguez’s office, and the Raiders, past and present, hope it stays there.
This long-standing tradition has lasted for more than 50 years and continues to bring back former players and spectators. Assistant Coach Rusty Elliott described the game as part of the holiday itself and praised the tradition while recalling both last year’s game and memories from when he was a senior.
Earlier in the season, another major matchup took place against Naugatuck on November 14, which unfortunately ended in a sudden loss for the Raiders. Despite the setback, both coaches and players remain optimistic. “We as coaches couldn’t ask anything more from our kids. They played great. They left it all on the field,” said Coach Elliott. Captain Cangiano added, “I couldn’t ask for a more fun game… ever. That was the funnest football game I’ve ever played in.”
Whether they’re on the sidelines or on the field, the Thanksgiving game remains an important and intense battle for the Raiders; this year, they intend to keep the tradition and the trophy alive.
