Winthrop Plays Revere in Annual Thanksgiving Game

 A large crowd is expected at Harry Della Russo Stadium in Revere for the annual Thanksgiving game matching the Winthrop High football team from the Northeastern Conference and the Revere High football team from the Greater Boston League.

Winthrop (6-4), under head coach Jon Cadigan, will be looking for its seventh victory of the season and second in a row over Revere on the holiday.

Revere (4-6), under head coach Lou Cicatelli, has won four of its last five games and hopes to continue its second-half surge with a win over the Vikings.

Cicatelli said that Winthrop’s offense, led by quarterback Matt Noonan and running backs Nick Cappuccio, Robert Rich, George Galuris and Demetri Koutsouflakis, will be a test for his team.

“Winthrop runs the ball well. They throw the ball well,” said Cicatelli. “We definitely have our work cut out for us, but we have a good game plan. There will be a big crowd supporting us. There’s nothing like the Thanksgiving game. A victory would be a great way for us to end the season after struggling with injuries early.”

Cadigan said his team is ready for the inter-league showdown that determines the winner of the coveted Beachcomber Trophy.

“Revere is definitely playing as well as they have played all year long,” said Cadigan. “The game plan for us is similar to what it always is, to run the football to start and then if we have opportunities to throw the football play-action-wise, we’ll take it. I think the concern on defense for us is also similar: Revere has some pretty dynamic threats on offense and it’s certainly not going to be easy for our defense.”

Cadigan said he will be meeting with the Northeastern Conference coaches Monday night to select the NEC All-Star team.

But first, one of the most significant games of a player’s career in the two neighboring communities – Revere versus Winthrop – is on everyone’s Thanksgiving morning schedule. “They run the ball well. They throw the ball well. We definitely have our work cut out for us, but we have a good game plan,” said Cicatelli. “There will be a big crowd supporting us. There’s nothing like the Thanksgiving game.