High School: Hanover dominates Norwell 35-7 in latest Thanksgiving Day clash

By Sullivan Coady – NEFJ Contributor
@SullivanCoady


NORWELL – The Hanover Hawks couldn’t have asked for a better finish to the 2021 season.

The Hawks shined on both sides of the ball in an explosive 35-7 victory over Norwell in the 55th Thanksgiving meeting. Hanover finishes up at 7-4 while Norwell wraps up its season at 4-6. The Hawks extend their series lead to 31-23-1.

Hanover’s offense has been explosive all season thanks in large part to QB Mike Landolfi. A sprained ankle held him out of the Thanksgiving Day contest, so sophomore Ben Scalzi stepped up in a big way for the Hawks putting up 300 yards and four touchdowns. Senior receiver Dylan Rice had eight receptions for 200 yards. On the defensive side of the ball, junior Ben Hickey had 3 tackles for a loss and Junior Matt Pierotti had five tackles and a strip sack.

Hanover wasted no time going deep on their first play with a 45-yard pass from Scalzi that was hauled in by Rice. That play set up a 7-yard Nick Freel run for a score making it 7-0 midway through the first. Scalzi threw his first career touchdowns in the second quarter both to Junior WR Dave Quinlan (17 & 25 yards) which extended the Hanover lead to 21-0 at halftime. 

Scalzi was just starting to get comfortable as he came out firing in the second half throwing two more touchdowns to Dylan Rice (30 yards, 65 yards). Hanover led 35-0 going into the 4th and gave the starters a well deserved rest. Norwell got on the board late on a 15-yard rushing touchdown by Ryan Fitzgerald.

“When I got my first touchdown i definitely became more comfortable” said Scalzi who admitted to being nervous before his first start.

“Everybody played great today on offense and defense as well as special teams, we were the better team today,” added Rice.