It’s that time of year again. It’s the time of year when it starts to get colder, but football rivalries start to really heat up. And what better way to celebrate the coming of fall with a classic rivalry: Wellesley High vs. Needham High.
Wellesley Players are more eager than ever to play in the Thanksgiving Game, now in its 130th year, especially with it being the first Thanksgiving game played at the newly renovated Darcey field.
“We are very excited to go out there and play a game that means so much to so many people in and around the town, ” starting junior wide receiver and safety Hugh Callahan ’19 said.
And he is not wrong as the game touches the lives of hundreds of people in and around the towns of both Needham and Wellesley including Athletic Department Secretary Ms. MaryAnne MacDonald, a third generation Wellesley resident.
Last year Wellesley won a heated match between the Rockets with 34 to 14, lifting them to a 10-1 record to finish off an excellent season.
This year Wellesley (5 – 5) looks to stop the rolling Rockets (7 and 3) and finish off the year with a bang and stay over .500.
The team will look to senior leadership on defense in Josh Cohen ’18, and Michael Hershelman ’18 to propel them to the next level and get them the win on Thursday. Starting quarterback Jack Tishman ’18 will most likely not be playing due to injury.
Besides their defense, the team is looking towards younger players like Holt Fletcher ’20 and Shiloh White ’21 to step up in the clutch and get the win on their home turf.
After last years win over the Rockets, the Raiders are more ready than even to take home the Turkey Day trophy once again. GO RAIDERS!