Ballou ends Woodson’s winning streak in annual Turkey Bowl game

D.C.'s H.D. Woodson High School football team warms up for the 2017 Turkey Bolw. The team was down 17 players who were suspended for their involvement in a brawl during a recent game. (WTOP/Mike Murillo) — D.C.’s H.D. Woodson High School football team warms up for the 2017 Turkey Bolw. The team was down 17 players who were suspended for their involvement in a brawl during a recent game. (WTOP/Mike Murillo)

Woodson wins coin toss. @WTOP pic.twitter.com/cUJBWJA1TD
— Mike Murillo (@MikeMurilloWTOP) November 23, 2017

(WTOP/Mke Murillo)

Touch Down Ballou, kick not good Ballou 13 Woodson 0 @WTOP pic.twitter.com/isqGBDGNA1
— Mike Murillo (@MikeMurilloWTOP) November 23, 2017

(WTOP/Mke Murillo)

Touch Down Ballou with 9 minutes left in 4th. 2 pt conversion good. Ballou 21 Woodson 8. @wtop pic.twitter.com/apfJ8SqgNs
— Mike Murillo (@MikeMurilloWTOP) November 23, 2017

(WTOP/Mike Murillo)

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WASHINGTON — It’s Thanksgiving tradition in D.C. — the top two high school football teams vie for the championship title in the annual “Turkey Bowl” game.

At this year’s game, Frank W. Ballou High School took the lead early and triumphed over H.D. Woodson High — 21 to 14.

Ballou’s victory Thursday in this year’s game ends a five-year winning streak for Woodson. In the two teams’ last matchup in 2014, Woodson bested Ballou 16-12.

This year’s Turkey Bowl was preceded by controversy. Earlier this month, 18 Woodson players were suspended from playing in the annual game after they were involved in an on-field brawl with players from the Eastern High School team. The number of suspended Woodson players was later revised to 17.

The 48th annual Turkey Bowl took place at Eastern High School Thursday in Northeast D.C.

WTOP’s Mike Murillo contributed to this report.