Wake up! It’s Thanksgiving, the best day of the year in Massachusetts. We have a great slate of games this morning. Here are our picks for today.
St. John’s Prep at Xaverian: These two teams are going to be playing twice in the next week. The Catholic Conference title is on the line in the 57th annual meeting. The last time these two played in a Thanksgiving, Super Boel scenario, the X won both match-ups. Pick: Xaverian
King Philip at Franklin: King Philip can win the Kelley Rex title outright with a win. Franklin can win a share with a win. The Panthers lead the all-time series 33-30-1. Pick: King Philip
Foxboro at Mansfield: The winner of the 94th installment of this rivalry will share the Hockomock Davenport crown with North Attleborough. The Hornets are 23-13 in the series under Mike Redding. The Warriors won the last meeting in Mansfield in 2023. They repeat the feat this year. Pick: Foxboro
Tewksbury vs Wilmington: Tewksbury will try to put the finishing touches to an impressive regular season with a win over Wilmington. It won’t be easy. The Wildcats have been tough this season under first year coach Joe Cavanaugh. They will give the Redmen a game. Pick: Tewksbury
Boston Latin vs. English High, (Harvard Stadium): The oldest continuous rivalry in the country has produced some great games through the years. Latin holds an 84-40-13 lead in the series, although English has won three of the last four meetings. Make it four of five: Pick: English
Bedford at Burlington: Relatively new rivalry game features two of the best players in the state in Mekhi Volcy and Ryan Brooks. Should be a good one. Pick: Burlington
Gloucester at Danvers: Two programs that know how to run the football and execute at a high level. Gloucester has had a nice bounce back season and I think they pull out what should be a close game. Pick: Gloucester
Swampscott at Marblehead: The 115th meeting should be a dandy between these two long time rivals. Both teams can score but I think this will be a tight, defensive game. Marblehead leads the series, 59-49-6. They pick win #60 this year. Pick: Marblehead
Scituate at Hingham: Sailors are playing for a D4 state title next week so it will be interesting to see if they play their starters. I say they do. Hingham had a terrific season, beating Duxbury and going toe to toe with Marshfield. Despite that, it is hard to pick against the Sailors these days. Pick: Scituate
Marshfield at Duxbury: Two evenly matched rivals. This should be a fantastic match-up. I lean Duxbury at home. The Dragons have gotten better as the season has worn on. Pick: Duxbury
Needham at Wellesley: The oldest public school rivalry in the country continues with the 138th meeting. Wellesley leads, 66-62-9, but Needham has won the past two meetings. The young Rockets played better down the stretch but Wellesley has been the better team this season. Pick: Wellesley
Hanover at Norwell: It will be interesting to see if Norwell plays their starters. They are playing for D6 title next week. For now, I am assuming they are. Jack Luccarelli’s last Thanksgiving game could be special. Pick: Norwell
Fairhaven vs Dartmouth: Fairhaven has taken a 45-43-4 lead by winning three of the past four meetings. Despite that, the Indians will come to play. It should be a fantastic match up between two programs that always play tightly contested games. The Blue Devils are playing for a Division 6 title. Don’t expect Derek Almeida to sit his starters. Pick: Fairhaven
St. Mary’s vs Bishop Fenwick: One of the more underrated Thanksgiving Day match-ups between two teams that always play tightly contested games. I expect another classic between these two that will come down to the wire. Pick: Bishop Fenwick
Uxbridge vs Northbridge: The final game in the legendary career of Ken LaChapelle is a family affair featuring his grandsons Joel, who plays quarterback for him and Camden who plays running back for the Spartans. The LaChapelle bowl is a toss up but I’m leaning with the legend in his final game. Pick: Northbridge
Walpole at Weymouth: Weymouth can clinch the Bay State Herget title with a win. Walpole can earn a share of the title with Milton with a win. The Timberwolves have a 23-5 edge in the series but the Wildcats are slightly better this year. Pick: Weymouth