The fall season means a lot of things to a lot of people: school, sweaters, a transition back to hot coffee, and being glued to Sunday TV screens from 1-11:30 p.m., among other things.
High school football returns, too. Whether you’re a fan of the sport, an alum, or just passing by, Friday nights turn into events.
Add two teams that don’t really like each other, and gamedays get a lot more fun. Let’s take a look at some local rivalries returning to the gridiron this fall:
St. Mary’s, Bishop Fenwick to feast on renewed Thanksgiving matchup
This traditional rivalry began in 1964 and lasted until 1991. It returned from 2015-2018 and hasn’t been played since.
But come the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, the Spartans and Crusaders meet again.
“In my opinion, it never should have stopped to begin with. I think it’s our natural rival,” said St. Mary’s coach Sean Driscoll, who returns this fall with 100 career wins under his belt. “I think it’s a good thing for both schools. We’ll hopefully get it back to the tradition it was before.”
Fenwick handled St. Mary’s with ease, 60-0, back in 2018’s heavily-talked-about matchup. The Crusaders have also taken two of the last three regular season meetings. This will be Driscoll’s second Thanksgiving game against Fenwick and coach Dave Woods.
Swampscott looks to end 11-game skid against Marblehead with Fenway fireworks
Thanksgiving Eve will feature Swampscott blue, Marblehead red, and a green monster. With the Big Blue and Magicians meeting at Fenway Park – as opposed to the usual Thursday morning slot – Swampscott looks to break a losing streak of 10-plus years.
Granted, last year’s matchup was tight with Marblehead escaping, 28-21. The Magicians registered 12 more first downs and 16 more minutes of possession.
“I just think that we had them on the ropes… we just couldn’t get off the field to get the offense back the ball,” said Swampscott coach Peter Bush after last season’s matchup.
The game is part of a four-game series titled “High School Football at Fenway.” Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard square off that Tuesday, followed by a matchup between Stoneham and Reading. The next day, Lawrence and Central Catholic face off before Swampscott and Marblehead.
Lynn Tech, KIPP to hold first meeting since chippy 2023 game
The City of Lynn was treated with a 64-point game between Tech and KIPP last season, but unfortunately for the Tigers, KIPP scored 45 of them.
During the postgame handshake line, Tech coach James Runner and KIPP’s Jim Rabbitt exchanged words at midfield with representatives on both sides being separated.
“You’re talking about kids who go to school 100 yards away from each other, so it is what it is,” Runner said.
Tech defeated KIPP in 2018’s kickoff meeting, but the Panthers have won four since. That said, with Chanel Gutierrez, Morenel Castro, and Jovan Machado no longer on the field, you could say it’s Tech’s chance to score some revenge.
Xaverian, St. John’s Prep return after double date last fall
It was the talk of Massachusetts high school football last season when powerhouses St. John’s Prep and Xaverian met twice in one week. After a two-point win on Thanksgiving Day, Xaverian doubled up with a six-point victory in the Division 1 Super Bowl.
Prep had its chance with a late toss toward the endzone, but an incompletion sealed the deal. Xaverian gunslinger Henry Hasselbeck stole the show, going 7-for-13 with 102 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions.
Last year’s games were played in Westwood and Foxborough, however, so let’s see what The Prep can do in Danvers this time around.
Year No. 111 between Classical and English sees new faces, fresh starts
Same programs, same colors, but nearly everything else is different. Lynn English returns with a brand new coach in Tyllor McDonald, while his cousin, Brian Vaughan, continues to command the Classical ship.
But on the other side, the Rams will be without their dynamic aerial duo of Brian Vaughan Jr. and wideout John Nasky, who both graduated in June.
Last Thanksgiving saw Classical escape English, 8-6, despite a late surge from the opposition. Vaughan Jr. and Shane Knowlton-Simard were responsible for the TDs, while Classical’s defense stood strong with a minute remaining in the fourth quarter to seal it.
“I’m looking forward to a new page in Lynn English football,” Knowlton-Simard said before an August practice. “I think the last few years haven’t shown how good we really are. I think with the new coaching staff, new players, and new mindset, we could really show that we can compete with anybody. I think that’s what we’re looking forward to the most.”
KIPP gets another crack at Hull with 2022 Super Bowl in mind
It’s no secret that KIPP has found success since its program launched seven years ago. Among that success, came a Super Bowl appearance in 2022 against Hull, which won the game, 27-6.
With quarterback Juan Setalsingh, Castro, and Vic Mafo leading a postseason run, KIPP was oh, so close to completing a dream season.
This time around, Hull makes its way to Manning Field on Saturday, Oct. 5. But despite home-field advantage, there will be other challenges for Rabbitt and company.
“Losing a special player like Morenel, who had a bulk of our carries or catches last year, it’s hard to replicate that,” Rabbitt said. “We have a bunch of guys who, collectively, will try to handle that workload.”
Peabody eyes a double-digit streak against Saugus
The Tanners have had their way with the Sachems for the last nine years, but not without close matchups. Saugus will have home turf this time around.
Truth be told, no matter where it’s played, Saugus coach Steve Cummings relishes the annual meeting.
“It’s a great tradition that I hope the state never gets rid of,” he said after last season’s game. “I don’t know anything without it.”
Eli Batista, now graduated, led Peabody’s attack last fall. He caught three balls for 25 yards and bolted to the endzone off a punt return in the first quarter.
Batista has moved on, but on the other side, so have Isaiah Rodriguez, Cam Preston, Tommy DeSimone, and Braden Faiella for Saugus.
You could say, this year, Turkey Day will be about new faces.
St. Mary’s Driscoll, KIPP’s Rabbitt say it’s ‘turning into a rivalry’
With Driscoll and Rabbitt each completing preseason interviews, both mentioned the fact that St. Mary’s vs. KIPP is “turning into a rivalry.”
The Spartans escaped, 22-20, last fall in a game that came down to the fourth quarter. The early-September matchup was physical, competitive, and tight.
The good news for Lynn football fans: they don’t have to wait long for this year’s meeting on Friday, Sept. 13.
“We’re trying our best to take it one game at a time and not look too far ahead… but our first game against St. Mary’s is awesome. It’s a great game for the city and becoming a great rivalry,” Rabbitt said. “We were there until the very end with them last year, and it just showcases how far our program has come. They’re a proven program with a spectacular coach and amazing players, so when you’re competing with them, you know you’re on the right track.”
