This could be the last hurrah for Tech, St. Mary’s

LYNN – Tech coach James Runner has been on both sidelines in the Thanksgiving Eve Classic between the Tigers and St. Mary’s. For five seasons, Runner was on the Spartans? side as an assistant under Mike Stellato and for the last five years he’s been at Tech as the head coach. On Wednesday night at a snow-covered and frigid Manning Field, Runner left the field thinking it could be the last time the two neighboring schools would meet. There seems to be a growing likelihood that come next year, the two schools won’t be renewing their holiday rivalry. That’s something Runner can’t control but he’s grateful for having had the chance to be a part of it. “First off, I appreciate the chance to have a game on Thanksgiving Eve no matter what goes on from this point,” Runner said. “I’ve been on both sides of this rivalry. It’s a great one that might have had its last game (Wednesday). But I think a lot of people want to see this game keep going.” Across the field, St. Mary’s coach Matt Durgin also doesn’t know what will come of the rivalry but he was quick to heap praise on the job that Runner and the Tigers did under trying conditions Wednesday. “It’s been a great thing,” Durgin said. “You have the four high schools in the city playing and that’s something unique. This game has been like anything else, it’s gone in cycles. But (Tech) is a classy program and they played hard right to the end (Wednesday).” St. Mary?s has won six in a row vs. Tech and the last five by a combined score of 224-34. The Spartans lead the overall series, 22-18-1.***Wednesday marked the first time since the third game of this season that the Spartans were able to put a completely healthy starting lineup on the field on both sides of the ball.St. Mary’s returned starting fullback John Gaeta, who also was back at linebacker along with Joey Silvestre. The difference was noticeable as the Spartans racked up 277 yards rushing while holding Tech to only 90 total yards in the game.?We had a lot of kids step up this season,” Durgin said. “This was our first chance to be at full strength in a while. This is such a great group.”***Tech’s Justin Lewis was the ironman of the night as he had to step into play quarterback along with playing his usual safety spot on defense.Lewis’ numbers weren’t spectacular but it was his selflessness that Runner was quick to credit when the game ended.?Justin came to me and said that he would take care of it. He stepped up and did take care of it,” Runner said.Despite the terrible conditions, the teams combined for only three turnovers ? Sakowich was named the offensive player of the game for St. Mary?s and Jack Leonard was the defensive honoree. Tech?s Lewis and Stefan Gravely were the recipients for the Tigers.