By Ken Chaisson
Hometown Weekly Sports Reporter
Piles of leaves, crisp air, blustery winds, turkey and Thanksgiving Day high school football are all part of New England lore. Although it had rained for three days leading up to Thanksgiving, Mother Nature ensured she made an appearance, sending a cold rain to remind everyone of her presence.
The 2024 edition of the Walpole vs. Weymouth Turkey Day rivalry ended with a decisive 35-12 victory for the home team Timberwolves at John Turco Field.
Thanksgiving Day high school football has been a tradition in the United States since 1882. For high school seniors, the game often marks the culmination of their football careers, making the day extra special.
Pre-game festivities included the Senior Walk, where players were joined by their parents on the field. Former Boston Red Sox announcer Joe Castiglione handled the Senior Walk announcements, cheering on his granddaughter, Walpole cheerleader Tilla Romano.
During halftime, the Bay State League Doug Flutie Award winners were honored: Meghan Doyle from Weymouth and Tyler Jordan from Walpole. Additionally, Walpole’s newly crowned 2nd-3rd grade youth football state champions, who did not allow a single point all season, were recognized, underscoring the community spirit of the day.
Despite the foul weather, fans braved the elements to watch the annual matchup, which has been a Thanksgiving tradition since 1996. Walpole entered the game with a 5-6 record, while Weymouth was 6-4. The rivalry has historically favored Walpole, which has now won 11 of the last 13 meetings.
Walpole’s offense was powered by co-captain Noah McKenzie, who has thrown for nearly 1,800 yards this season. The Timberwolves also amassed over 1,000 rushing yards, led by Braden Mattera and Dillon Needham. Their top receiver, Quinn MacNeil, caught 32 passes for nearly 500 yards and four touchdowns this season. Needham leads the team in scoring with nine touchdowns.
On defense, Walpole was anchored by Mattera, Aiden Abate and Mason Falcone, each with more than 60 tackles. Abate and Matt St. Cyr also tallied seven sacks apiece. The defense’s strength was evident throughout the season, including a standout performance against a strong Billerica rushing attack during the playoffs.
Weymouth began the season with a six-game winning streak but faltered down the stretch, losing its last four games heading into Thursday’s matchup. Naheem Ridore, Weymouth’s star running back and defensive end, was a bright spot, powering the Wildcats’ opening drive with a touchdown and later breaking free for a 37-yard rushing score in the fourth quarter.
But the game was all Walpole in between those moments. McKenzie ran for two touchdowns and threw for two more, both caught by Cash Cantrell. Needham added another score on the ground, and the highlight of the game came on a razzle-dazzle two-point conversion by lineman Abate.
The Timberwolves closed their season with a 6-6 record and now lead the Thanksgiving series against Weymouth 23-5.
The future looks promising for Walpole football, which continues to grow with over 100 players across all high school levels.
Congratulations and best of luck to all of Walpole’s graduating seniors!
