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Winner of the 122nd edition breaks tie in the all-time series between these two Middlesex League foes
The Winchester High football team (7-3) is getting ready to host its Thanksgiving Day rival Woburn (6-4) in the annual game on Thursday morning (Nov. 28) at Knowlton Stadium, beginning at 10:15 a.m.
But the Red & Black, the sixth seed in Division 2, first had to get over the Round 8 loss to host Marshfield (9-2, third seed). It was a high scoring affair, with the Winchester boys coming up short, 48-28.
The Rams however, then dropped a 34-15 decision to King Philip Regional (11-0, second seed) in a state semifinal game last Friday night (Nov. 22). King Philip will now square off against Catholic Memorial (10-1, top seed) in the D-2 Super Bowl at Gillette Stadium next week.
Winchester coach Wally Dembowski accepted the loss to the Rams as a learning experience for his young squad.
“Marshfield is a very good team, but we just need to keep developing our program in order to reach their level,” the veteran Winchester coach said.
The Red & Black scored a touchdown in all four quarters, but unfortunately the Rams accounted for two scores in the second, third and fourth quarters to negate any offense that Winchester was able to muster.
Junior running back Gianni DePrimeo scored a touchdown in the Marshfield game on a seven-yard run. Sophomore quarterback Peter Alexopoulos, stepping in for the injured Ronan O’Connell, hooked up with Ted Budreski for a 73-yard scoring strike. He also found Michael Ficociello for a 15-yard touchdown pass to keep things relatively close on the scoreboard for a while.
“Alexopoulos played very well on short notice, helping us stay within reach,” said Dembowski. “It was a tough game. We had our chances, but did not succeed.”
Will Devine returned a blocked punt for a late touchdown to help secure the win for the home team. Alex Molander was Marshfield’s defensive star of the game after coming up with 27 tackles.
But the Red & Black quickly had to put this playoff game behind them in order to put together a game plan for Woburn.
“The Thanksgiving Day game against Woburn is always a hard-fought, emotional battle,” said Dembowski.
The longtime holiday rivalry couldn’t be much closer. The winner this year will break a virtual tie in the century-plus series that now stands at 55-55-12.
“(Woburn) had the upper hand last year after they came back to beat us (20-17) in the second half,” said Dembowski. “They are big, strong and physical, and we need to match their physicality. We also have to play sound fundamental defense, while continuing our consistent offensive attack, when we have the ball, to have a chance to come out on top.”
The Tanners employ a power offensive with a reliance on the running game. They are also very aggressive on defense.
“It will be a test of wills, and the team that makes fewer mistakes and a couple of big plays will probably come away with the victory,” added Dembowski.
Turkey day starting lineups
Basing everything, of course, on health, the Winchester offensive and defensive starting lineups against Woburn on Thursday morning will probably look like this:
On offense: quarterback Ronan O’Connell, running back Gianni DePrimeo, tight end Michael Ficociello, wide receivers. Ted Budreski, Connor Pandolph and Oliver Fanton, and offensive linemen from right guard to left guard Adam Rauseo, Brogan Salvietti, Jake Tempesta, Lucas Sekino and Shaun Garrett.
On defense: defensive backs Joe Guida, Jack Johnson, Gianni DePrimeo, Quinn Pimentel and Nicky Rotondi, linebackers Bryan Harrison, Ilyas Malik and Chris Russo, and defensive linemen Omar Alosta, Jake Tempesta and Brogan Salvietti.
