Winthrop runs by Revere for convincing victory

REVERE – Both Winthrop and Revere went into Thanksgiving morning’s annual rivalry game sporting 5-5 records. This being said, one team would leave Della Russo Stadium with a winning record for the season.View Photo GalleryAt game’s end, the Viking faithful in attendance were plenty thankful for the great effort their squad gave them on a beautiful sun-splashed holiday morning. Behind a tremendous team rushing day and a stout defense, Winthrop was able to secure the coveted Turkey Day trophy once more, defeating the Patriots 23-6. Three rushing touchdowns were more than enough to support the Vikings’ stellar defensive effort.Winthrop opened the scoring on the very first drive of the game as a failed squib kick left the Vikings with great field position. The running platoon of Jordan Corbett-Frank, Robert Diaz and David Gallo grinded out 26 yards before Corbett-Frank bounced to the outside and down the left side for a 26-yard score. Quarterback Dylan Driscoll converted the two-point conversion with a sneak.Revere’s own running game came out strong as well with Bobby Rose and Tom Portrait each picking up some quality yards. A holding penalty led to a failed fake punt on fourth- and-twelve. Winthrop turned the ball right back over however, as Corbett-Frank fumbled after a dazzling 23-yard run deep into Revere territory.Winthrop would force another fourth-and-long that Revere couldn’t convert on as quarterback Joe Ritchie fumbled a snap at his feet before recovering and being dragged down for a big loss. This set up the Vikings for their second scoring drive of the day. Ruben Powell joined in on the Vikings’ rushing brigade, picking up 12 yards while Corbett-Frank went back to work after the fumble. The drives big play came courtesy of Driscoll who hooked up with a wide-open David Capone for a 41-yard gain. Driscoll would finish things off himself with a four-yard touchdown run before hitting Capone for another two-point conversion.With just over five minutes to go in the half, the Revere offense finally found their touch leading to some needed optimism. Ritchie connected with Kyle Gotham for a 13-yard reception before the latter broke off back-to-back 12-yard runs.Winthrop forced a fourth down, but committed a holding penalty giving the Patriots new life. With time dwindling in the half, Ritchie bulldozed his way to the one-yard line where he fumbled, but was ruled down. Rose scored on the next play to get the hosts on the scoreboard, but the conversion failed.”Besides that scoring drive I don’t think we allowed them to find a rhythm,” said Driscoll of his defense’s strong showing. “That one penalty call gave them a boost and led to their biggest play of the day. Their skill guys played well, but I think we slowed them down a bit.”Revere got a strong performance from Portrait, who ran for 81 yards on 14 carries while Ritchie threw for 36 yards in an attempt to keep things competitive.After a fast-moving and scoreless third quarter, the Vikings were able to put things away in the final quarter. With just under five minutes to play, Gallo found a hole up the middle, scoring from 26-yards out. The play served as the nail in the coffin as the stingy Vikings defense was locked in.”Our seniors played great today, especially David who has been a phenomenal fullback all year long,” Driscoll said. “As a team, defensively we were a little sluggish at first but we stepped in up in the second half and clamped down.”With another Turkey Day victory secured, Driscoll explained just how big a win this was for his team. “This is a special day for our team,” he said.. “Thanksgiving is always a big day at Winthrop High School. It’s great to get a win and now we have a fun bus ride home.”The win allows the Vikings to end the season above .500, a fact Driscoll is quite pleased with after a long season.”It was an up and down season with some big wins and memorable moments and this is always the biggest game so it was great to come out and get the win,”