PEABODY — It’s safe to say that things haven’t gone the way the Peabody football team hoped they would this season.
At 3-7 on the year, the Tanners have seen more struggles than success.
Thankfully on Thanksgiving morning (10) the Tanners will have a chance to throw their record out the window and focus on getting a win against rival Saugus.
“Neither team had a good year this year,” Tanners coach Mark Bettencourt said. “So this game is a little bit about pride. That’s what we’re playing for. These games are usually hard-hitting games and we’re excited for it.”
Peabody will look for its usual playmakers to have an impact Thursday, many for the last time in a Tanners uniform. On offense, both quarterbacks will get a chance while Colby Therrien and Angel Paulino lead the ground game.
“It’s our usual crew with Colby and Angel,” Bettencourt said. “Quarterbacks Alex DeNisco and Krisli Miralca will have to play well. But it all starts in the trenches. We need our offensive linemen to step up.”
Injuries have taken their toll this year for Peabody and the Tanners will need more than a few players to step up in filling the gaps.
“Unfortunately we’ll be without (receiver) Dylan Peluso who had an injury,” Bettencourt said. “But we have guys to fill in. Those guys just need to step up. We’re hoping some guys get healthy. Joe Casey missed our last game with a shoulder injury. Kyle Maglione has had a few injuries. They’re banged up and were hoping they’re both out there because they’ve been solid for us in the middle of the defense.”
Another defensive strength for the Tanners is their line, a unit led by senior tackle Ari Rozopoulos.
“Ari at defensive tackle has done a great job clogging up that middle of the line,” Bettencourt said. “Chris Faraca is also great up front. Saugus is a run-first team so we have to step up there. When they do throw, we have a pretty good group of defensive backs to contain that.”
Thanksgiving Day is always a big day, especially for seniors, but with Saugus finishing up a new school and field it could mark an even more historic game at Stackpole Field.
“From my understanding Saugus High School’s new field could be ready next year,” Bettencourt said. “You put that on top of it, this could be the last football game at Stackpole Field. So I’m sure that’s going to motivate them. They’re going to want to get a win in the last game there.”
Not only are the Tanners looking to close their season on a high note, but a win on Thanksgiving would mark with their sixth consecutive win over the Sachems.
“Anytime you talk about Thanksgiving, no matter who’s game it is it’s a big rivalry,” Bettencourt said. “Generally you can take regular season records and throw them out the window. It’s our guys’ last high school game and even if they do go on to play in college there’s nothing quite like this.”
