THE 2024 North Reading High football team is ready to host Lynnfield in the 65th Thanksgiving Day game. (Eric Evans Photo)
By DAN ZIMMERMAN
NORTH READING — There are few New England Thanksgiving traditions as enduring or unique as the high school football games that take place on the holiday. Throughout Massachusetts, there are nearly 200 teams that participate each year, drawing fans to stadiums across the region. More than just a football game, these events are the essence of community and part of the fabric of each town’s history.
On Thanksgiving morning, the North Reading Hornets will host neighbor Lynnfield in the 65th edition of this venerable holiday occasion. In that interval of time, which began in 1959, the only year when the game was canceled was 2020, due to the Covid pandemic.
Lynnfield is currently 10-wins better than North Reading, holding a 37-27 advantage. Interesting to note, Lynnfield won 7 straight at the outset, from 1959-1965, before the Hornets were able to squeak out their first win in the series in 1966, by an odd final score of 3-2. The longest North Reading winning streak was in the late 70’s when the Hornets won five consecutive.
As North Reading and Lynnfield prepare for this year’s highly-anticipated Thanksgiving meeting, an interesting scenario has evolved as the regular season ran its course. The Hornets and Pioneers wrapped up 2024 with matching 8-2 records, both programs qualified for the postseason, and while Lynnfield contested an added tournament round, there is little that separates these teams on paper. All involved – coaches, players, and supporters – would agree that this is shaping up to be a game for the ages.
“The regular season showed a good representation of both teams and what each is capable of,” said North Reading wide receiver Antonio Ricca who, in a recent win over nemesis Newburyport, put his team in front on the first play from scrimmage with a 45-yard catch and run. “We’ve had a great season; both teams are fresh off the playoffs, so I think we both have a good mentality going into Thanksgiving.”
THE CAPTAINS are ready to lead the Hornets into the 65th Thanksgiving Day game. Pictured from left to right is Lucas Do Val, James Fodera and Andrew Taylor. (Eric Evans Photo)
North Reading, which handily won the Cape Ann League large school crown, was out of the gate in 2024 with 5 straight wins. Most would admit that “Lady Luck” played a pivotal role in two of those games, when opponents Dedham and Triton failed in game-ending field goal tries that likely would have altered the end result. At mid-season, Amesbury handed North Reading its first defeat, 20-16, but the resilient Hornets were soon back on track with a pair of convincing regular season wins over Pentucket and Newburyport.
No. 13-seed North Reading lost to No. 4 Norwell, 39-28, in the MIAA Division 6 tournament. The Hornets had company in playoff defeat, however, as all eight underdogs in D6 were dispatched in the first round.
Lynnfield, which claimed the CAL small school title with a 6-0 league mark, followed a similar course. The Pioneers lost their season-opener to perennial powerhouse North Attleboro but then reeled off 8 straight before coming up against No. 3 Fairhaven and Massachusetts’ all-time touchdown leader Justin Marques in the second round of the Division 6 playoffs. Marques added his career 103rd score to lead Fairhaven over No. 7 Lynnfield in overtime, 36-34. Needless to say, the Pioneers have a bit of an axe to grind when they do battle with the Hornets on Thanksgiving.
Last year, North Reading traveled the four miles to Lynnfield for the 64th annual Thanksgiving clash. Spirits were high and the 5-4 Hornets were confident they could end the 2023 campaign a game over .500. But soon after Lynnfield resident Todd Angilly, of Boston Bruins National Anthem fame, sang for the festive crowd, things went decidedly downhill for the visitors and the North Reading faithful who attended the game. Led by QB Tyler Adamo, the Pioneers dominated after a scoreless first quarter, blanking North Reading, 34-0. This year’s version of the Hornets is determined to ensure that doesn’t happen again.
“I think there’s a definite improvement this year and I think we can get it done,” said linebacker James Fodera. “As seniors, this is our last chance to beat Lynnfield so it’s obviously a very important game.”
“Our coaches and my teammates have been working very hard to prepare for this game,” said tailback and defensive back Andrew Taylor. “I think we’re all very excited to show what we’ve been studying and preparing for. We’re all buying into this. We definitely want to go out a winner.”
As he prepares for his seventh Thanksgiving meeting with Lynnfield, head coach Ed Blum is undaunted by his opponent, although he admitted that there is concern about certain aspects of the Pioneer offense.
“I think Lynnfield has a very good team this year,” said Blum, who holds a 4-2 Thanksgiving record over his rival. “Their quarterback, Tyler Adamo, makes a ton of plays and their receivers are all over the field. We know it’s going to be a challenge but we’re excited about it. We just have to execute our fundamentals and play as a team.”
Of course, while Blum talks about the talented Adamo, the Hornets’ two-year starting QB Jason Berry has also enjoyed a great deal of success, including 23 touchdown throws, 8 to one of his top receivers in Tanner DuPriest.
“When we played against Lynnfield in youth football through the years, it was always a big rivalry game and that will continue on Thanksgiving,” said DuPriest, who caught a pair of TDs to contribute to a North Reading win over Bishop Fenwick in a recent consolation game. “Lynnfield has a good team but we’re prepared to adjust as needed and give them a good game.”
THE HORNET faithful will be ready to pack the stands at the Arthur J. Kenney Field on Thanksgiving morning for a highly-anticipated matchup between 8-2 North Reading and 8-2 Lynnfield in the 65th edition of the Turkey Day Classic. (Eric Evans Photo)
While the nature of the Thanksgiving game is inherently joyful and upbeat, there is some sadness in the mix for the senior athletes. This is, after all, the final organized football game for most of them and likely the game they will most remember for decades to come.
“I’m grateful for this season,” said wide receiver and defensive back Lucas Do Val. “While we didn’t reach all of our goals, our record speaks for itself. We’re a really good team and personally, I’m happy that we have an opportunity to play another game.”
Blum expressed his sentiments about Thanksgiving Day football and, of course, the nature of the North Reading-Lynnfield game.
“Growing up in Massachusetts, the Thanksgiving game is, in my mind, one of the best traditions out there. Regarding North Reading and Lynnfield, I love that we’re two towns that are right next to each other and enjoy a clear, natural rivalry,” said the coach. “It has a very cool community feel. It’s a treat for me to meet with some of the alumni, before and after the game, and share memories. The Thanksgiving game is absolutely the one they’ll always remembers, especially the senior athletes. It’s a special day.”
On Thanksgiving morning, at 10:30 a.m., the North Reading Hornets will host the Lynnfield Pioneers in the 65th edition of the holiday classic.
