Things look pretty even for Beverly and Salem going into Thanksgiving

For the 109th time in the schools’ history, Beverly and Salem high schools will do battle on the gridiron on Thanksgiving Day.However, this year probably best personifies this long and storied rivalry.Parity has been the theme when these two teams face off. Beverly holds a slim lead between the two schools, with a 52-49-7 record on Turkey Day.”There is a lot of history and tradition (in this rivalry),” Panthers coach Dan Bauer said.”It is bigger than any one team or individual.”These kids on both sidelines have been thinking about this game since they were young kids.”Both teams will walk onto Salem’s Bertram Field with a 5-5 record.Both teams defeated English, Danvers and Peabody. And both teams fell at the hands of Gloucester, Swampscott, Classical and Winthrop.”We’re both similar teams,” said Bauer, “playing in similar situations.”Another great similarity between the programs this year is the talent in the backfield. Beverly boasts an impressive one-two punch of senior Greg Pierce and Rashad Sims.”(Pierce) is having an outstanding year,” said Bauer. “He’s a hard worker and great captain.”He is closing in on the career rushing record, but you wont hear him talk about that. To him, it’s all about the team.”Sims is playing in the same role that Pierce found himself last season – the younger counterpart.Last year, Pierce backed up the ultra-talented Pat Bailey but stayed productive in his own right.This year, Sims is closing in on 600 yards rushing, to go along with seven touchdowns. When Pierce went down with an injury against Winthrop, Sims managed to pick up the slack on the ground, gaining 160 yards.Melikke Van Alstyne is Salem’s running back. He was an Item All-Star last season, and followed that up with an impressive senior campaign.”Melikke (Van Alstyne) is very talented,” said Bauer. “He can make you miss on the open field.”He is also a very good defensive player.”Beverly can boast the more impressive offense, scoring an average of 17.6 points a game. However, the Witches have allowed less points per game at 16.”It’s going to be a battle,” said Bauer.”That is how the game always is played. It certainly is a rivalry both communities take a lot of pride in.”