Image courtesy of Lily Speredelozzi / The Sun Chronicle

MANSFIELD — The annual Thanksgiving Day showdown between the Mansfield Hornets and the Foxborough Warriors once again lived up to its storied rivalry, but this year it was the leg of senior kicker James Warren that proved to be the difference-maker. Warren booted two clutch field goals, including a dramatic 49-yard winner in the fourth quarter, as Mansfield beat rival Foxboro 13-10 win on Thursday morning to earn a share of the Hockomock League Davenport Division title.

The 2025 matchup was a defensive slugfest from the start, a stark contrast to some of the high-scoring affairs the rivalry has produced through the years. Both defenses forced turnovers and held firm throughout the first half.

Foxboro however broke a 3-3 tie less than two minutes into the third quarter when quarterback/cornerback Cam DeLeskey picked off Mansfield quarterback Tommy Vallett on the first play of the second half. Four plays later, Deleskey scored from three yards out to put the Warriors on top 10-3.

Mansfield would respond however after Vallett found fellow senior Andrew DeGirolamo for a 5-yard touchdown pass to tie things up at 10-10 and set the stage for Warren’s heroics in the fourth quarter.

With the game deadlocked in the fourth quarter, Mansfield’s offense, while moving the ball effectively, stalled twice deep in Foxborough territory. This is where Warren stepped up.

Mansfield managed to move the ball just far enough into Foxborough territory to put the game on the foot of Warren and he did not fail, With championship implications and rivalry pride hanging in the balance, Warren drilled a 49 yard kick straight through the uprights to put the Hornets up 13-10, a lead that the defense made sure held up.

The win, was the Hornets second in a row on Thanksgiving and gave the Hornets a share of the Hockomock League Davenport Division title. Mansfield now leads the all-time series lead 55-36-3.

“I think we really needed this as a program,” Mansfield head coach Mike Redding said. “Just disheartening to see so many good players miss so many games, and to finish like this, really, I think saved the season.”

For the Warriors, the tough loss stings but won’t derail their ultimate goal. They now turn their focus immediately to the Division 5 Super Bowl next week, where they will face off against Shawsheen Tech.