A Thanksgiving Tradition

Thanksgiving, a time for food, family, and friends–and football, of course. Every year, Scituate High School football battles Hingham High football in the annual Thanksgiving game. A lot of preparation throughout the season goes into this one game, as it is a rivalry that is reignited every Thanksgiving.

Football players and coaches alike see this game unlike any other due to its unmatched enthusiasm. Senior Brendan Grant said this game “means a lot more” and it is a “little bit rowdier in locker room,” with more energy and enthusiasm. Herb Devine, the head coach of the varsity team for the past eleven years, describes the sentimentality of families making the game “part of their family traditions.” The game alternates locations between Scituate High School and Hingham High School each year. However, the teams were privileged to play at Fenway Park last year. Playing on the home fields will still bring in a big crowd who look to fulfill their Thanksgiving traditions.

SHS booster parent, Robyn Sullivan, sees this game as “a tremendous way for them to end their football careers,” as Hingham and Scituate players have been playing against each other since second grade. The rivalry is competitive yet exciting, as Devine said how they “look forward to playing Hingham.”

Although this game is highly anticipated for the teams, the seniors will be feeling a sense of nostalgia for their last Thanksgiving showdown. The practices and team meetings leading up to this game help build anticipation and emotion for the seniors, as it may be their last time playing together. According to Devine, after this annual game, many seniors return their equipment and “never put on the helmet again.”

Heading into college, two seniors aspire to play at a higher level. Senior Josh McKeever plans to play in college but is unsure of his final destination yet. Daniel May, another senior, also desires to play at a college level. These seniors will hopefully be representing a new team with their Scituate spirits carrying on. The comradery of the team-oriented sport and intensity of the game clearly stuck with these two as they plan to continue on with their journeys as football players.