Reflections on Thanksgiving

The historic Medford vs Malden Thanksgiving Classic is meaningful to many

Rico DelloIacono, Medford Head Coach, former Everett High player and coach:

I love it. I love Thanksgiving…Everyone is coming together on that day not just for the sake of a football game, but for a community…They don’t care about what you do against Cambridge or Everett, they care about what you do against Malden. A win on Thanksgiving can change the whole landscape of a season. I tell the players this is something you will remember for the rest of your life. You’re a part of history now.

John Costello, former Mustang football player, 2008 MHS graduate, Senior Football Associates Booster Club member:

Many grow up watching and hearing about the Medford-Malden tradition – one of the oldest rivalries in the history of football. I am truly grateful and proud to have been able to play and take part in the Medford-Malden Thanksgiving Rivalry. The Thanksgiving game carries a different emotion and hype than all other games. On Thanksgiving Day, the teams’ records do not matter – nothing else matters, except beating Malden. It is simply just about who wants it more. It is a chance to etch your mark in this longstanding rivalry.

When I think of the Medford-Malden game, I think of those who have played in past games. Although you are playing for that the name on the front of the jersey, that number on the back has a huge significance. Maybe your older brother, father, friend or somebody you never even met, wore that number before you did. Whoever it may be, they are looking down on you, cheering you on and reminiscing about sporting that number and playing with their buddies in this game.

As a senior, it is nearly impossible to wake up on Thanksgiving morning without butterflies in your stomach. Looking up in the stands and seeing thousands of people, you can’t help but feel incredibly proud to be from the city of Medford. And looking across the huddle at your buddies during the game, you realize – you’re going to miss it a lot.

I am immensely proud to have been able to play in and experience the Medford-Malden Rivalry. My memories as a player versus Malden High school are something I will always remember. Now, as an alumni, I look at the generations of former players strolling into the stadium on Thanksgiving Day, and can’t help but see the strong pride of this rivalry from both towns. But regardless of records, as a player or an alumni, there is not a better feeling than beating Malden on Thanksgiving Day…

Lisa Evangelista, Mustang cheerleading coach and former cheerleader:

I would go back to my senior year because cheering at the Thanksgiving Game was pretty much the ultimate way to cap off the football season. The team all would get corsages and we’d meet for breakfast first at Howard Johnson’s. All the alumni came and we could barely cheer because there was so many people at the game, and I’m talking this was when Hormel had stands on both sides of the field and let me say again … it was packed! Guys actually formed a horseshoe around us so we could cheer without potentially getting knocked over! Back then, the Thanksgiving Game usually decided the GBL title.

Now, as a coach, the day belongs to my senior cheerleaders who are front and center that day. And although, the game itself may not mean as much in the standings, I get to see my team do what I did so long ago … decorate the field, greet former cheerleaders, make goodie bags for the players and really love the almost “playoff like” atmosphere that the Thanksgiving Day Game gives off.

Being one of the oldest Thanksgiving football rivalries in the state also makes the Medford-Malden game very special! “Medford Pride” is usually very predominant on Thanksgiving Day and it’s especially nice to witness.

Armand Caraviello, former Head Coach (1970-1982) and Mustang football player:

The game is a great game. To me it was the culmination of a season. The rivalry is so great. We had some great, great games with Malden. The crowds were huge…they’d be standing maybe seven rows in front of the stands…The thing about the game…if you didn’t have a good record coming into the game, a win could make the whole season.

Marianne McCourt, band and football parent, MHS graduate, former Senior Football Associates Booster Club member:

The Thanksgiving Day game has always been the definitive high school experience. Once entering the high school and the football season started it was the ultimate game, the end of the season, the pinnacle of high school excitement. I’ve always loved the game of football growing up with three brothers and a father that loved the game. I also love the season, the colors and the food! I love the sound of the marching band that you can hear from a distance as you approach the stadium, the tapping drum that keeps you in step. I love hearing the roar of the crowd as you rush to your seat! I love it all!!!

As a senior it was a bittersweet day when that season came to an end. The hype was huge. Mine was a home game, I was part of the pep squad and we wore uniforms and sat with the band. We had what seemed like big name players back then, Mike Giannino, Babe Colonna, Tiny Sweet, Nunzio Marino. I honestly can’t remember if we won but I can see the day as clear as if it was yesterday. Cold, sunny, and the stadium was filled. Very memorable; I can remember being a bit sad but thrilled to live it. We had this great dance that night at the old Medford High with a band, it was surreal and pure high school.

So now having two sons graduate and be part of that tradition has meant a lot. They lived the thrill, the sounds, the honors. I want them to remember how it feels to be part of something that significant.

I’m a big advocate of getting people back to that game every year which is why I started the MHS Band Reunion. I’m hopeful the event grows every year so that you know you’ll see a friendly, familiar face who shares the memories of that unforgettable day. And you’ll see the current seniors with a bit of envy think to yourself, wow….that was me!

Chris Murphy, former Mustang football player, 2004 MHS graduate:

My four years of playing football at Medford High were my favorite four years of my life.

I can remember going to the game with my dad and brother every year and just waiting to one day be apart of it. I can remember my freshmen year being able to dress for the game with a few other members of my freshmen team. From the pep rally to the pre-game dinner the night before and then being able to run on the field that morning was just a morning I will never forget.

We went 2-2 against Malden in my four years and it was tough to have had our final game my senior year end in a loss. It is a privilege to say that you were part of this game. Every time when you meet someone who played in the games before and you can just sit and talk football stories with them for hours but when you bring up Malden there is always a tone in their voice that changes, the story becomes more detailed and you take in everything,

I will never forget going out to breakfast before school with a bunch of the guys on the team, going to the rally, the skit, the speeches. Or the last practice and taking the last lap with all the seniors (thinking in my head that in 24 hours this will be all over for ever) and the pre-game meal and making a speech with all the other seniors. Sleep that night just didn’t happen; we woke up early and tried to go to 6am mass only to find a out there was no 6am mass on holidays. Getting to the school, getting dressed, getting to the game setting for the final time, every moment of that game seemed to go by so fast and when the clock hit 0 the outcome wasn’t what we wanted, but I will always know I was a part of something special and the friends I made will last me a life time.

On my wall I have an article written by Gerry Callahan in 1992 talking about Thanksgiving football and every so often I’ll stop read it and in my mind just relive the moments of putting on that Mustang blue and being back in the best days of my youth.

Bill Honeycutt, MHS graduate, owner, John Brewer’s Tavern (home of the Medford vs Malden football mural):

Thanksgiving holds a special place in my heart. No only is it a chance to spend time with family but the football game, for me, is a reunion every year. When the players and coaches come to lunch before the game, I get an opportunity to say a couple of words. I always tell the players to remember this time in their lives. They’ll make many life-long friends and always look back and think that those were great days. My closest friends are still the friends that I made while attending Medford High and I see and talk to them regularly to this day…and Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate those friendships and maybe see other friends that I have lost contact with over the years. It’s more than just a football game.