Admit it, you’ve heard this line before: “I don’t remember much from that season, but I do remember the Thanksgiving game.”
That’s because Thanksgiving games are, in my humble opinion, the backbone of high school football. You could go 0-10 beforehand, but if you win that game, it makes for a good holiday.
Around here, there is the heated rivalry at Manning Field between Lynn English and Lynn Classical. Don’t forget Fenway Park, either, where Swampscott looks to snap an 11-game losing streak to Marblehead.
Let’s start with those Rams and Bulldogs over in Lynn. These two sides have had, frankly, polar opposite seasons.
Classical suffered handfuls of injuries – one to starting quarterback Ryan Buth – and is rebuilding after a successful 2023 program that graduated Brian Vaughan Jr. and John Nasky.
On the English side of things, it’s a program on the rise under the leadership of Tyllor McDonald. English had one of its best seasons in recent memory and clinched a postseason berth.
The Bulldogs are led by a strong runner in Xavier Beauchamp, who finds gaps in the defense and is strong enough – and fast enough – to get to the second level. If the run game isn’t working, the Bulldogs can hurt you through the air. Jaiden Rosario isn’t afraid to let it rip and he has talented receivers ready to make plays in Limbert Thomas and Shane Knowlton-Simard.
Staying at Manning Field, the facility will be hosting the St. Mary’s and Bishop Fenwick game next Wednesday.
Both teams have high-powered offenses that are fueled by the running game. St. Mary’s three-headed monster of Rowan Merryman, Maxwell Parent, and Dimitri Koutsouflakis doesn’t like to go down easy.
For Fenwick, Dylan Patturrelli and Tyler Connolly are as quick as they come. Behind a solid offensive line, if either of them get past their initial defenders, there’s no stopping them in the secondary.
The last game featuring Manning Field is a good one between KIPP and Lynn Tech. Last year, it was chippy from start to finish. Although KIPP prevailed, 45-19, there’s no doubt both head coaches in Jim Rabbitt (KIPP) and James Runner (Tech) have this date in mind.
And, of course, Saugus is set to welcome Peabody. The Tanners lead the all-time series, 50-29, and are led by quarterback Luke Maglione, running backs Gabryel and Caio Santos, in addition to wide receiver Jayce Jean-Pierre.
For Saugus, keep an eye on senior running back Cody Munafo. Munafo, throughout the season, has been the Sachems’ bellcow. The hard-nosed running back plays almost every snap on both sides of the ball and makes countless plays. Someone else who may play a role is kicker Connor Bloom. He has one of the better legs in the Northeastern Conference and can flip field positions with his long punts. If it’s a close game, the Sachems may need the lefty to drill a game-winning kick.
St. John’s Prep and Xaverian don’t like each other on the field – it’s as simple as that. And last year, Xaverian got the last laugh at Gillette Stadium.
This year, with a star quarterback in Chris Vargas and a ground game that no opponent has found a way to stop, The Prep will look to get the last laugh this time around.
Lynnfield and North Reading should be a good game from start to finish. The Pioneers are led by seniors Tyler Adamo, Jesse Dorman, Madux Iovinelli, Walter Radulski, and Iain McCarthy, to name a few. The offense is one of the more dynamic ones in the state and if it clicks next Thursday, North Reading may have a long day ahead of itself.
Now, it’s time to talk about the game that’s being played at the biggest venue: Fenway Park.
Marblehead vs. Swampscott will be action-packed. For the Magicians, the dual-quarterback system of Colt Wales and Finn Gallup keeps the opposition guessing.
And Swampscott does a little bit of everything. Sophomore quarterback John von Barta has improved week by week and is slinging the ball to his favorite receivers in Liam Keaney, Joe Marino, and Jay Domelowicz. Although the Big Blue can pass the ball, it’s the running game that opens everything up. Look for Henry Beuttler and Will Bush to play key roles in that regard.
Can Marblehead continue its impressive streak, or will Swampscott break the curse?
