56th Thanksgiving Classic set for Nov. 26 in Melrose
Published in the November 20, 2015 edition
THE 105th meeting of the Melrose Red Raider football team and the Wakefield Warriors takes place at home this year on Thursday, November 26 at 10:15 a.m. at Fred Green Field in Melrose. (Donna Larsson photo)
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE — The 56th Melrose-Wakefield Thanksgiving Classic takes place Thursday, Nov. 26 at 10:15 a.m. at Fred Green Field in Melrose. Thursday will represent the 105th meeting between the two teams in a rivalry that dates back to 1901. Overall, Melrose leads that series 57-41-6. In 1960 the two teams transitioned into the Thanksgiving Classic. Melrose has dominated recent rivalry (5 straight wins) while Wakefield holds the edge since 1960 with a record of 29-22-3.
Thursday will be Melrose-Wakefield’s second meeting of this season after Melrose knocked the Warriors out in the Div. 3 North playoff opener on Oct. 30. But according to head coach Tim Morris, a Melrose-Wakefield football contest can always bring the unexpected. Just last Thanksgiving, Melrose narrowly escaped with a 15-14 win, thanks to a buzzer-beating, two point conversion by the Raiders. “They’re always a team that plays tough on defense, and they’re always well coached,” said Morris, noting the coaching change this season. First year coach Steve Cummings takes over for longtime Warrior leader Mike Boyages.
While Melrose dominated Wakefield just a few weeks back, the Raiders will still have to contend with some heavy hitting Warriors, including Zack Kane and Tighe Beck. “Beck is a very tough player,” says Morris. “He brings a lot to the game.”
Should Melrose prevail against Danvers in the Div. 3 North final on Nov. 20, Melrose goes to the Super Bowl at Gillette Stadium on Dec. 5. But they will still need to play on Thursday, Nov. 26, just nine days before it. According to Morris, they’ll be no relenting on the field. In other words, don’t expect to see Melrose sit any of their stars. “If you’re playing football, you’re playing football,” says Morris. “And you play to win.”
