While many spent the day after Thanksgiving hunting for the perfect Black Friday sales, a handful of high school and college students from Calvert County decided on a different approach to the day.

Dressed in winter clothes, their breath hanging in the air, approximately 30 teenagers reunited on Friday to play football at Calvert Middle School.

Like Black Friday, this is a tradition that goes back several years.

The “Turkey Bowl,” as the gathering is referred to, has no set rules. Teams were decided as players arrived, and all four teams were co-ed.

Players came and left as they pleased and often changed teams in an effort to keep things fair. There were no referees to keep score, and neither did the players.

As the games continued, the players swapped high-fives and laughs with each other. The halfhearted question, “What down is it?” could be heard every few minutes.

“I’ve been playing here for four years now,” said Jason Coleman, of Huntingtown. “It’s a tradition, and I wanted to see all of my high school friends.”

The opportunity to see friends for the first time since the summer was what drove nearly all of the participants to the game. Whether they played in the games, or cheered from the sidelines, there was an instant sense of familiarity around everyone.

“I’m just here to see all my friends that I haven’t seen in a long time,” said Maddie Lohmeyer, of Huntingtown.