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Thanksgiving Rivalry

Stars shine on Thanksgiving stage

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For most high school football players, there are few stages bigger than the annual Thanksgiving Day game.

Squaring off with a rival for what in all likelihood is the last game of the season. … What could be better?

And over the years, we’ve been treated to some spectacular performances in the Turkey Day clashes. This year was no different.

Several teams saw their stars step up on Thursday morning (or Wednesday evening) and it’s now time to highlight them.

Leominster’s Osiris Lopez

The Blue Devils put a hurting on Fitchburg at Doyle Field and the freshman quarterback was right in the middle of it all. Lopez was 10-18 passing for 161 yards and four touchdowns in the 40-8 victory, adding 63 rushing yards on nine carries.

Save for one interception, Lopez made all the right reads. And to show just how well things went for the 15-year-old, when Lopez was rocked by a Fitchburg defender at the goal line in the second quarter, the ball popped out of his hands and right into the waiting arms of classmate Kaiden Drinkwater in the end zone. Lopez could do no wrong in his first Thanksgiving Day classic.

Leominster’s defense

The offense certainly went off against the Red Raiders, but don’t overlook the dominance of Leominster’s defense in the win. The Blue Devils allowed 85 yards of total offense, with Fitchburg’s lone touchdown coming on a drive aided by a 15-yard facemask penalty.

Leominster's Henry Marte tries tostrip the ball out of the hands of Fitchburg's Devanni DeLeon during Thursday's game. (Sentinel & Enterprise / Gary Fournier)
Leominster’s Henry Marte tries to strip the ball out of the hands of Fitchburg’s Devanni DeLeon during Thursday’s game. (Sentinel & Enterprise / Gary Fournier)

The Blue Devils came up with four sacks on the day, with Jiovanni Roman notching a pair. Delmahr Wright recovered a fumble. Bryan Aguilar, Steven Diaz and Braden Martin each picked off a pass. Leominster came in with a strong defensive game plan and executed it to near perfection.

St. Bernard’s Damien Jones

Brace yourself for some eye-popping numbers: 214 yards and four touchdowns. That’s what Jones put up in the Bernardians’ 48-20 win over St. Paul on Wednesday night. And what makes it even more remarkable is that the senior running back did it in one half of football.

Jones has been an absolute beast this season, piling up 1,693 yards and 27 touchdowns in 11 games and he’s not done just yet. He and the Bernardians still have the Division 7 championship game against West Boylston looming on Friday.

Monty Tech’s Logan Quinn

Monty Tech's Logan Quinn carries the ball and a Nashoba Tech defender during Wednesday night's game. (Sentinel & Enterprise / Gary Fournier)
Monty Tech’s Logan Quinn carries the ball and a Nashoba Tech defender during Wednesday night’s game. (Sentinel & Enterprise / Gary Fournier)

One of Monty Tech’s four captains, Quinn came up big against a strong Nashoba Tech side on Wednesday night, leading the Bulldogs to a 44-8 victory in Fitchburg. The senior carried the ball 16 times for 170 yards and four touchdowns in the thrashing.

Quinn and the Bulldogs will take the field on more time this season, facing Bay Path on Thursday for the Large School Vocational championship. Bay Path handed the Bulldogs one of their three losses this season, a 43-36 defeat on Sept. 30.

Oakmont Regional’s Sam Curtis and Isaiah Smith

If this tandem is remembered for just one play, let it be the Hail Mary that Curtis delivered to Smith as time expired on Thursday’s game against Lunenburg. With the game tied, the 40-yard heave found Smith’s hands in the end zone and lifted the Spartans to a 41-35 victory.

Stinson Newton steps up for Blue Devils

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LEOMINSTER — Leave the flashy plays for others; Ma’Kai Stinson Newton’s consistent, blue-collared work on the gridiron has become a calling card for Leominster’s senior running back.

Reading the defense with ball in his hands and patiently looking for gaps, Stinson Newton had a sneaky big day for the Blue Devils in Thursday’s 40-8 drubbing of Fitchburg at Doyle Field. Only three of his rushes went for 15 yards or more, but the senior certainly made an impact on the victory.

By the final whistle, Stinson Newton had carried the ball 18 times for 120 yards and a touchdown, adding 14 yards receiving on a pair of catches.

“He leads by example. He’s just a straight leader,” Leominster head coach Devin Gates said of Stinson Newton. “When he wants to turn it on, he turns it on and it’s beautiful. I’m just so happy with the game he had today and to be able to end up with a touchdown.

“I love Ma’Kai. He’s just the best.”

Stinson Newton consistently popped off for runs of around five yards, helping to open up Leominster’s passing game. His longest run of the game went for 31 yards in the first quarter, but the senior was proud of the Blue Devils’ run game playing a part in the victory.

“It feels great to play our game and have success with it. I’ve been saying it all season, but I have to thank the linemen and all my boys who put in the work all season,” Stinson Newton said. “The coaches, the fans, everybody. … I need to thank them because without them, I can’t do what I do and other people on the team can’t do what they do. I’m so grateful for everything and I appreciate everyone who has helped get me here.”

Stinson Newton’s final touch of the day put an exclamation point on his high school career. After Bryan Aguilar picked off a Fitchburg pass to give Leominster the ball at the Red Raiders’ 19, Stinson Newton made Leominster’s drive a short one, scampering to the end zone on the first play to push the hosts’ lead to 34-8.

“It’s exhilarating. It’s hard for me to put into words,” Stinson Newton said of scoring in his final football game at Leominster High. “It’s amazing to go out like this and it’s a feeling that I’m never going to forget for the rest of my life.”

Special group

Gates was a little emotional talking about the success the Blue Devils had this season, reflecting specifically on the importance of Leominster’s senior class, both on the field and to the coach, personally.

The Leominster head coach had 19 seniors playing their final high school game Thursday, with the vast majority making a major impact on the season and program both this season and over their time with the Blue Devils.

Leominster senior Steven Diaz catches a touchdown pass during Thursday's win over Fitchburg. (Sentinel & Enterprise / Gary Fournier)
Leominster senior Steven Diaz catches a touchdown pass during Thursday’s win over Fitchburg. (Sentinel & Enterprise / Gary Fournier)

It’s a generational group for me. This is not the kind of class you get every year,” Gates said. “They were freshmen when I started, so it’s the first group I’ve seen go all the way through. I’m so appreciative to them for listening to coaches and help build the culture we’ve tried to instill.

“Be on time, be in the moment, be a good person. … This senior class lived that. They led by example all season.”

Senior Steven Diaz had an interception and a touchdown reception, while fellow senior Ricky Encarnacion also hauled in a touchdown pass in his final high school contest. Classmates Stinson Newton rushed for a score and Bryan Aguilar had an interception.

Also playing in their final contests as Blue Devils were Jared Viola, Cam Cote, EJ Machuca, Tony Salvatelli, Josh Cormier, Jonathan Alpizar, Delmahr Wright, Logan Arce, Jiovanni Roman, John Escabi, Devin Patel, Hamlet Almanzar, Henry Marte, Korrin Sullivan and Shardig Parisien.

Adjustments gave Red Raiders momentum

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LEOMINSTER — To say things went poorly for the Fitchburg High football team during the first half of Thursday’s annual clash with Leominster would be a vast understatement.

The Red Raiders picked up just two first downs in the first 24 minutes at Doyle Field, turned the ball over three times and racked up just 26 yards of offense. In short, the 20-0 deficit Fitchburg faced could have been far worse.

It wasn’t the start anyone on the Fitchburg sideline had hoped for.

And the trend looked to be continuing after halftime, as the Red Raiders went three-and-out on their first possession, struggling once more to move the ball.

But then, something changed for Fitchburg, at least momentarily.

After giving up the fourth touchdown of the day to Leominster, the Red Raider offense briefly came to life.

The Red Raiders, aided by a facemask penalty, capped a seven-play drive with their lone score of the day. Fitchburg went 64 yards on the drive to end Leominster’s bid for a shutout.

A short run by Devanni DeLeon set up an 18-yard reception by Josh Medina, putting the Red Raiders at the Leominster 46. DeLeon had another short run before Lukas Beaulac fired an incomplete pass.

Facing third and 7, Beaulac kept the ball for a one-yard run, but a Blue Devil defender yanked the quarterback’s facemask, giving the Red Raiders a first down at the Leominster 20.

The junior quarterback called his own number again for three yards, before firing a beautiful pass to Harvey Early, Jr. for a 17-yard scoring strike, with the receiver sneaking just inside the pylon.

“I just think we came out with a little more intensity. Our kids just got dialed in a little bit,” Fitchburg head coach Greg Graham said. “I think we got a little bit of momentum and we made some plays on that drive.”

Eli Gonzalez added the two-point run as the guests cut Leominster’s lead to 27-8. Unfortunately for the tourists, that one drive would prove to be all the offense Fitchburg could muster.

Still some pride

The season didn’t end on the high note the Fitchburg faithful had hoped for, but after an 0-5 start, the Red Raiders salvage some semblance of successful season. Winners of four out of five games entering Thursday’s tilt, the Red Raiders turned things around in the second half of the season.

Fitchburg's Eli Gonzalez evades Leominster's Josh Cormier during Thursday's game. (Sentinel & Enterprise / Gary Fournier)
Fitchburg’s Eli Gonzalez evades Leominster’s Josh Cormier during Thursday’s game. (Sentinel & Enterprise / Gary Fournier)

“I’m extremely happy for those guys. I mean, we started off 0-5, but we battled back and were able to win some games,” Graham said. “It’s a chance for those guys to go out with some type of pride. I’m happy for them that they got to experience some wins and hopefully they carry that experience with them for the rest of their lives. I hope it made a positive impact on them.”

After a 28-0 loss to Marlboro on Oct. 7, the Red Raider earned win No. 1 on the season the following Friday, besting Westboro, 32-21.

The Red Raiders dropped a 28-20 decision to Nashoba Regional on Oct. 21 before rattling off wins over Doherty, Algonquin Regional and Tantasqua Regional to close out the regular season.

Blue Devils feast on Thanksgiving

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LEOMINSTER — It all ended nearly the exact way it began.

Different venue. Slightly different score. Same result.

Leominster High closed its 2022 season the same way it opened the campaign, topping archrival Fitchburg High, 40-8, at Doyle Field in the 116th Thanksgiving Day meeting between the programs.

The victory propelled Leominster — which topped the Red Raiders 48-6 in Week 1 on Sept. 8 — into the 800-win club, a group that featured only Everett and Brockton until Thursday morning. The host Blue Devils took control early and the result was never in doubt.

“We knew win 800 for the program was on the line and that’s a historic things, but also knowing this is the last time we’re all going to be together, they wanted to come out strong,” Leominster head coach Devin Gates said. “It’s a special, special group and I’m so happy with the way it ended for them. That’s something they’re going to remember for life.”

With the victory, the Blue Devils finish the season 8-3, snapping a two-game losing streak and rebounding from the losses of former coach Charlie Raff and former LHS standout Ricky White.

“Our guys really haven’t wavered all season. We got a little tired at the end of the season with some emotional wins and emotional losses in the community,” Gates said. “Being able to come to practice every day after some adversity. … These guys took the onus on making it a family atmosphere and fighting for each other. It starts and ends with them. I’m so proud of them. It’s probably one of the best years coaching I’ve ever had and it’s because of these kids.”

The hosts scored three touchdowns in the first half, leading 20-0 at the break and allowing just two first downs to Fitchburg (4-7) before halftime.

Freshman quarterback Osiris Lopez finished the day 10-of-18 passing for 161 yards and four touchdowns, adding 63 yards rushing on nine carries. Classmate Kaiden Drinkwater (four receptions, 73 yards) hauled in a pair of touchdown passes and recovered a fumble by Lopez that landed directly in his hands in the end zone for a third touchdown.

Leominster's Kaiden Drinkwater tries to evade Fitchburg's Joshua Narty. during Thursday's game. (Sentinel & Enterprise / Gary Fournier)
Leominster’s Kaiden Drinkwater tries to evade Fitchburg’s Joshua Narty. during Thursday’s game. (Sentinel & Enterprise / Gary Fournier)

“They both came out to play and did a great job,” Gates said of his freshmen standouts. “They’re great football players and great leaders. They don’t feel like freshmen. I’ve coached college for years and years and I’m not sure I’ve anybody be able to see the field and understand football as well as Osiris does as a freshman.”

Steven Diaz and Ricky Encarnacion also caught TD passes from Lopez, while Ma’Kai Stinson Newton carried the ball 18 times for 120 yards and a score.

Fitchburg broke through in the third quarter, scoring on its second possession of the second half. After Drinkwater’s third touchdown of the day put Leominster ahead 27-0, Fitchburg capped a seven-play, 64-yard drive with Lukas Beaulac finding Harvey Early, Jr. on a 17-yard scoring strike.

Eli Gonzalez added the two-point run and the Red Raiders trailed, 27-8, with 4:22 left in the third.

Fitchburg's Joshua Medina looks for running room against Leominster's Steven Diaz during Thursday's game. (Sentinel & Enterprise / Gary Fournier)
Fitchburg’s Joshua Medina looks for running room against Leominster’s Steven Diaz during Thursday’s game. (Sentinel & Enterprise / Gary Fournier)

Beaulac, under constant pressure from Leominster’s defense, finished the day 6-for-20 passing for 44 yards, a touchdown and three interceptions. The junior quarterback hung tough in the pocket, often scrambling for yards and was sacked four times.

“I’m very happy and impressed with Luke. He’s a warrior,” Fitchburg head coach Greg Graham said of his junior quarterback. “He comes to battle every time we play the game. He’s the heart and soul of our football team and he worked hard today.”

Leominster responded with a 19-yard touchdown run by Stinson Newton and a 24-yard scoring strike from Lopez to Encarnacion to cap the scoring.

Diaz, Bryan Aguilar and Braden Martin came up with interceptions for the Blue Devils.

On the other side, Doherian Wells picked off a Lopez pass, creating the only takeaway of the day for the Red Raiders.

Bernardians defend Bishop’s Cup

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With the Division 7 state title game awaiting, St. Bernard’s took care of business Wednesday night in its Bishop’s Cup clash with St. Paul, winning 48-20 at Assumption University’s Brian Kelly Stadium.

It’s the second straight Thanksgiving Eve victory for the Bernardians, who will face West Boylston — which fell to Maynard, 48-13, on Thursday — next Friday in the Division 7 state championship contest at Gillette Stadium.

With backfield mate Antonio Mancini sidelined, St. Bernard’s senior Damien Jones rushed for four first-half touchdowns as the Bernardians went to the break with a 36-14 lead.

Cole Blair added a 23-yard scoring scamper in the opening 24 minutes and Keegan Rose had a pair of touchdowns after the break, adding a pair of two-point runs as well as the Bernardians improved to 11-1.

North Middlesex 55, Assabet 28: The Patriots rolled to victory Wednesday night, ending the season with back-to-back wins to finish with a 6-5 record.

Oakmont 41, Lunenburg 35: The Spartans (5-6) won a last-second Hail Mary pass from Sam Curtis to Isaiah Smith.

The Mid-Wach D champion Blue Knights end the campaign 6-5.

Ayer Shirley 20, Littleton 14: Cam Marshall (105 yards), James Gauntlett (78 yards) and Brian Holmes all had rushing touchdowns for the host Panthers (7-3).

Nashoba 34, Clinton 21: Ben Silvester was named the MVP of the annual Cataldi/Tucker Thanksgiving Day Classic, leading the Wolves (7-4) to a win on the road. Nashoba’s Mike Guthrie was named his team’s offensive MVP, while Liam Kelley earned defensive MVP honors.

Nashoba Regional claimed a victory over Clinton in the annual Cataldi/Tucker Thanksgiving Day Classic on Thursday. (Courtesy Nashoba Regional Athletics)
Nashoba Regional claimed a victory over Clinton in the annual Cataldi/Tucker Thanksgiving Day Classic on Thursday. (Courtesy Nashoba Regional Athletics)

 

Commentary: Plenty of reasons to be thankful

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It’s that wonderful time of year when civic pride mixes with football in the most glorious way possible.

In Leominster, everyone wears blue. In Fitchburg, the clothing is all crimson.

It’s the stuff of teenage television programs brought to life, save for the impromptu choreographed dance routines that break out in such things.

It’s one of the oldest recorded rivalries in Massachusetts football and people take it seriously. There’s passion. There’s pride. There are tears.

It’s not like that everywhere. The Fitchburg-Leominster rivalry is indeed something special.

Doherian Wells looks for running room against Marlboro's Fernando Rodriguez during last week's game at Crocker Field. (Sentinel & Enterprise File Photo)
Fitchburg’s Doherian Wells looks for running room against Marlboro’s Fernando Rodriguez during a game at Crocker Field. (Sentinel & Enterprise File Photo)

As an outsider who has been looking in at the rivalry for well over a decade now, I’m still both intrigued and entertained by how much a seemingly simple football game means to so many people.

It’s football, but it means so much more than that. By the time the final horn sounds at Doyle Field in the early afternoon on Thursday, many families will know what the tone of Thanksgiving dinner will be.

A win means a feast filled with smiles. A loss makes for a more dour dining experience.

With so much of the focus on what happens on the field, it’s easy to miss things that are bigger than any competition.

The Blue Devil faithful are likely pleased with how Leominster High has done on the gridiron this season.

Parents of Leominster football players are almost certainly thrilled with the output of their kids both on and off the field. When the Blue Devils aren’t putting up big numbers on the gridiron, they’re doing so in the classroom.

The “student” part of student-athlete appears to be just as crucial as athletic exploits under the leadership of head coach Devin Gates. The Blue Devils are being prepared not only for success on the gridiron, but in life as well.

Leominster boasts a team GPA of 3.02, with 42 of the 52 players included having over a 2.5 mark. Of those, 32 have at least a 3.0, while 18 student-athletes have a GPA of 3.5 or better.

Under the guidance of Gates and the Leominster athletic department, Blue Devils players have excelled in the classroom and have volunteered for all kinds of activities, from unloading Christmas trees at the Gardeners Spot next to the high school to working in the concession stand for other games, while players have consistently shown support for youth football in the city throughout the fall.

The team was also honored with the North Central Mass. Football Officials Sportsmanship Award for the season.

That’s not to take any of the shine away from Fitchburg.

The Red Raiders should enter Thursday’s game with pride, heads held high after overcoming adversity early in the season on the field and believing in the message head coach Greg Graham was trying to send.

No team, no high school kid wants to start a season 0-5. Imagine being a senior and having to ride out such a stretch.

Fitchburg went through it and came out stronger.

After dropping their first five games, the Red Raiders didn’t hang their heads. They came together and the results in the final month or so of the season have been staggering.

Since Oct. 14, the Red Raiders have gone 4-1, the lone loss coming in a one-score game against Nashoba Regional. They’ve turned things around and are playing with an admirable determination.

Hopefully, Fitchburg’s student-athletes realize that an up-and-down season is a microcosm of life: things won’t always be good, but it’s how you react to the tough times that shows your true character.

If the Red Raiders have taken such a lesson from this season, they’ve got character in spades.

Regardless of how things go for each team on Thanksgiving morning, they’ll have their communities behind them. And that’s something to be thankful for.