We’re heading into an action-packed week

This is the week where it isn’t just the turkey that’s stuffed. There’s so much sports action that the bird is literally bursting at the seams.
It isn’t simply Thanksgiving. It’s the holiday and everything that swirls around it.
Aside from the normal pageantry of the games, and the longstanding traditions, we have a few extra morsels to add to the plate this year.
First, it’s the 100th edition of the Swampscott-Marblehead football game. Not only that, when the teams take the field Thursday (10 a.m., Blocksidge Field), they’ll be playing for sole possession of the Northeastern Conference South title, and the right to play Arlington Catholic in the Eastern Massachusetts Division 3 playoff semifinal next Tuesday.
A victory would be significant for both teams for reasons beyond the mere title. For Marblehead, it would be the Magicians’ first-ever trip to the post-season in the 36-year history of the Super Bowl.
The Big Blue get a chance to defend last year’s Division 3 title – won at Gillette Stadium over Medway (it’s possible the two teams could meet again, too).
Be sure and log onto www.itemlive.sports/football to challenge the Item staff and pick your winners for Thanksgiving. Deadline for voting is this Wednesday at 7 p.m. for the Tech-St. Mary’s game; and Thursday morning (10) for all others.
In addition, the comments section of the poll blog – which had been down to a small glitch – is back up. So feel free to add a comment on the game as well.
Both the Swampscott-Marblehead, Classical-English and St. Mary’s-Tech games have their ancillary traditions, too. In the case of the former, tonight’s Marblehead-Swampscott Gridiron Club Old Timers Dinner at the Gerry 5 promises to be real nostalgia-fest for the players and coaches who attend. And tomorrow, at noon, the Rotary and Lions Clubs will sponsor – with the help of Lynn’s Community, St. Jean’s and GE Credit Unions – the annual captains’ luncheon at the Porthole.
The East Lynn Pop Warner program swings into action later in the week. The East Lynn B and C squads are vying for a spot in the national championships next month in Orlando, Fla.
Both teams won their New England semifinal games yesterday – The B squad defeating King Philip, 26-0; and the C squad beating Franklin, 7-0.
The finals will be played at Foley Stadium in Worcester Friday, the B squad facing New Haven at 1:30 and the C squad playing Worcester at 11:45.