Hall of Fame inductee Tony Fucillo called the Revere-Winthrop meeting on Thanksgiving “a championship game” all of its own.
Coach Jon Cadigan and the Winthrop High football team are thus the undisputed champion of Thanksgiving 2023.
In an impressive performance to say the least, the Vikings used their potent running game and a well-executed defensive game plan to earn a 22-0 victory over Revere in the holiday classic at Harry Della Russo Stadium.
Revere came into the game feeling confident and energized after winning four of its last five games, averaging 35 points a game in those wins. But the Vikings kept Revere off the scoreboard and its defense on the field with sustained drives
Senior George Galuris, who was superb on both sides of the football, had a highlight-reel catch on a pass from quarterback Matt Noonan. Galuris followed up that play with his own touchdown run. Running backs Nick Cappuccio and Robert Rich rushed for touchdowns, with Rich also scoring on a two-point conversion for the Vikings, who led 15-0 at the half.
Mark Johnson had an interception in a fitting conclusion to his unsung contributions this season.
Boncore Receives Black Shirt Award
Linebacker Phil Boncore had a thunderous hit on a Revere running back that led to a fumble recovered by Alessio Marcoccio.
Boncore was selected as the Black Shirt Defensive Player of the Game – and for the 2023 season overall.
Gabriel Grein and Evan Rockefeller also combined to force a fumble. Cappuccio recovered a fumble on a Winthrop kickoff to Revere.
Meanwhile, All-Conference running back Cappuccio rushed for 59 yards in the game, giving him 982 yards for the season, just a couple of carries short of a 1,000 yard campaign.
The Firm of Thomai and Rockfeller Joins O-Line in Rising to the Occasion
Jon Cadigan heaped praise on his offensive line and the double-tight end set of Dan Thomai and Evan Rockefeller.
“We predominately stayed with two tight ends because of Rockefeller’s presence, and we absolutely just hammered the Revere defense. The formation is actually ‘Hammer’. It gives you the ability to run the ball either way and find the matchup you want. And when you have two very good tight ends like Thomai and Rockefeller in terms of blocking, it really gives you great options.”
The Big Five up front consisted of center Vasili Tsiotos, guards Matt Reardon and Alessio Marcoccio, and tackles Ryan Harris, and Donovan Cassidy.”
“The most exciting play of the game for me was when we ran a buck sweep to our sidelines and the guards were pulling – and Alessio Marcoccio absolutely crushed a defender. That got the sidelines all jacked up and I was all pumped up. It was right out of the buck sweep teaching manual,” said Cadigan.
Respect from RHS Coach Cicatelli
Revere High head football coach Lou Cicatelli was sportsmanlike in defeat, and begrudgingly (in the genial sense of the adverb begrudgingly – hey, this has been a backyard rivalry for 90 years) offered, “Winthrop is a very good football team who played some good teams this year. “They were battle-ready. Congratulations to them. They played a good football game.”
Cicatelli, who played football at Revere High under head coach Silvio Cella but never beat Winthrop as a player (Winthrop was beginning a run of three straight undefeated seasons (1981-83), has 97 career coaching victories in 24 seasons, with his sights on entering the 100-win club in 2024.
All-Conference/All-Star Selections for the Vikings
Nine members of the Winthrop High School football team received post-season recognition from the NEC coaches.
Nick Cappuccio, George
Galuris, Robert Rich, Donovan Cassidy, Alessio Marcoccio, Matthew Reardon, and Ryan Harris were selected to the All-Northeastern Conference Team. Vasili Tsiotos and Phil Boncore were selected as NEC All-Stars.