10 tables beneath eight chandeliers, a prominent keynote speaker, and one special night.
Players, coaches, town representatives, special guests, and other sharp-dressed members gathered for the annual Peabody and Saugus Lions Football Banquet in its 50th year at the Giggles Comedy Club on Wednesday.
The event was hosted by the Saugus and Peabody Lions Clubs – branches dedicated to serving people in the community and around the world. Wednesday evening’s service: to shine light on a wonderful Thanksgiving football tradition between Saugus and Peabody, and provide each program’s seniors with a night they’ll never forget.
John Smolinsky, a member of the Saugus Lions Club who served as the night’s master of ceremony, led attendees through the Lion roar and the event was underway.
After an Italian meal was served – featuring pizza, pasta, salad, and chicken – members of both the Peabody and Saugus communities spoke, including Tanners Head Coach Mark Bettencourt and Sachems’ Head Coach Steve Cummings.
Bettencourt, who has led Peabody to a 9-1 record heading into its Thanksgiving showdown, spoke about high school football, the rivalry between the programs, and everyone involved in making the tradition what it is.
“This banquet is a major part of this tradition,” Bettencourt said. “Now this tradition goes deeper than the game.”
Seemingly the whole room nodded in agreement when Bettencourt said it takes the entire community to make Peabody football what it is, and Bettencourt noted he loves representing the city on game day.
Laughs filled the room when Cummings recapped his own Thanksgiving football game from 1995, adding details from various plays and outcomes he still holds fondly. Cummings’ hope for next Thursday is for his players to encounter a similar experience, and took time to recognize the camaraderie and respect the two programs hold for one another.
“This kind of stuff doesn’t happen everywhere,” Cummings said. “It’s a rivalry [only] when you show up Thursday morning.”
Each coach gifted a senior with an award. Bettencourt said his award went to the most dedicated kid who’s the “blood and guts” of the Tanners. The award was presented to Benwin Grullon, followed by a thundering applause and iPhone camera clicks.
Cummings handed the Saugus trophy to a student-athlete who best exemplified what the Sachems are all about – that student-athlete being Justin Belluscio who Cummings said has gone through many burdens this season, including the loss of his father.
“This young man has shown an incredible amount of character,” Cummings said.
The night’s keynote speaker was Tully Banta-Cain, a former Super Bowl winner for the New England Patriots who led multiple NFL teams in sacks. Despite his love for the NFL, he described his Thanksgiving high school game as perhaps his most memorable.
“Definitely cherish this time in your life,” said Banta-Cain, who still remembers recording eight tackles for losses in his rivalry game. “Play until the whistle, sometimes even after the whistle when no one’s looking.”
Despite whether attendees were rooting for the red of Saugus, or blue of Peabody, both communities came together for a special evening.
The Tanners and Sachems square off on Thanksgiving Day at Saugus High School with kickoff set for 10 a.m. Despite his Sachem opponents coming into the game with just one win, Bettencourt said anything can happen on Thanksgiving and “records are thrown away.”
