For most, Thanksgiving Day is a time to share in holiday fun with family, food and friends.
For those in high school football circles, however, Thanksgiving means one thing: the passion of high school football rivalry games. Players on teams long-since removed from the playoff chase push themselves to the limit to win the biggest game of the year, regardless of record, and earn the bragging rights that go along with it.
Trinity Catholic, which is 0-9, hopes to end the season on a positive note Thursday at Tufts University (10 a.m.). A Falcon victory would give them possession of the Monagle Trophy over the 3-6 Anchormen. The Falcons will be looking for their first victory in the series since a thrilling 40-34, overtime triumph in 2007.
Although the Falcons have struggled this season, scoring a total of 22 points and surrendering an average of 35.4 points per game, TC coach Steve McGonigle kept an upbeat, goal-oriented attitude while delivering his overall assessment of Trinity's season.
``This season has been enjoyable, in the respect that the staff was able to work with some incredibly coachable kids, who as young players were very receptive to instruction and hands-on coaching,'' he said. ``I told the team that this game is another season, and one of our major preseason goals is to beat St. Clement on Thanksgiving.''
McGonigle, in his seventh year at TC, also knows this game is more about the heart and determination of the players striving to come out on top one last time than the league standings.
``The Thanksgiving game means much more to our school because of the annual trophy and the MVP presentation at the end of the game,'' he said. ``Bragging rights, pride, and going out in style also play a major role in this game. It means so much to the seniors because it most likely will be the final football game of their careers.''
McGonigle said Trinity must control the pace of the game and play mistake-free football to be successful.
``Offensively, we have to establish ball control, eliminate penalties, stay away from turnovers, and keep the defense off the field,'' said McGonigle.
The Falcons will turn to sophomore quarterback Nick Medina to lead the offense. Medina will be looking to receivers such as senior Andy Medina, Tim Rezendes, and Waltham's TJ Noonan as primary offensive targets. The Falcons must also contain sophomore defensive lineman Kevin Delva, who has been a leader for the Anchormen defensive corps this year.
Defensively, things will prove to be challenging, as TC must stop St. Clement senior running back Robert Ofoedu, who has 14 touchdowns.
Coach McGonigle believes the key to winning the game lies in his team's ability to prevent big plays.
``We can't give up any big plays and touchdowns over 20 yards,'' he said. ``(We need to) force turnovers, play really well on third down and communicate on coverage and support.''
McGonigle also knows that a win on Thanksgiving would provide a sweet ending to a difficult season, and give renewed hope to his program heading into next year.
``A win on Thursday injects immediate enthusiasm into our program,'' he said. ``The kids will enter the offseason with great emotion and a positive mental attitude regarding offseason conditioning.''
McGonigle's message to his outgoing senior class was short and simple in preparation for this Thanksgiving battle: ``I just thanked them all for their hard work and asked them to play their hearts out on Turkey Day.''
