Tech, St. Mary’s end gridiron rivalry

The St. Mary’s?Lynn Tech football game that has become a Thanksgiving eve tradition is no more.
The two schools mutually agreed Tuesday to end the game, which had been played since 1994.
Tech athletic director Joe Skeadas said he, football coach James Runner, interim principal Robert Buontempo Jr. and interim vice principal Emily Spinucci talked on Tuesday and agreed it was time to end the game. Skeadas said Tech does not have another opponent lined up at this point, but he’s hoping something can be done with another Commonwealth Conference team. The change is effective immediately.
Skeadas said whatever Tech decides to do, the game will still be on Thanksgiving eve when the Tigers play at home. Tech and St. Mary’s will alternate use of Manning Field each year on the night before Thanksgiving.
St. Mary’s athletic director Jeff Newhall said the Spartans tried to give Tech as long as possible to line up a replacement, but ultimately had to make the decision because of what is involved in lining up a new opponent. Both Skeadas and Newhall said the decision was “bittersweet.”
?There’s something to be said about having the four high schools in Lynn all competing against each other on Thanksgiving and having the Lions (Club) luncheon for the four schools,” Newhall said. “Some of those traditions I hope will continue even though the opponents might be different.”
Newhall said ending the game was the right thing to do for both schools, but there are some things that will unfortunately have to come to an end. He said St. Mary’s was in a position where it had to do what is best for the school.
Skeadas said Tech was stronger when the rivalry first started than it is now, and it has become increasingly one-sided. The Spartans won 44-0 this year.St. Mary’s is currently working on lining up a future opponent and the arrangement should be resolved very soon. Among the options are Bishop Fenwick, which currently plays Pingree, or Austin Prep, which plays Lowell Catholic.