Thanksgiving Champions: Sacco, Vikings take command in 29-12 victory over Revere

Former head coach Tony Fucillo always felt that Revere-Winthrop on Thanksgiving was a championship game unto itself.

In the 2025 meeting at Harry Della Russo Stadium, Coach Jon Cadigan’s Vikings played championship-caliber football from start to finish, and the reward for their impressive 29-12 victory was the Beachcomber Trophy and bragging rights in the rivalry for another year.

Led by All-Conference running back and linebacker Seth Sacco, the Vikings took control of the game in the second half. Sacco was the chief catalyst in the takeover, unleashing a spectacular 93-yard run through the middle of the line, outracing two of Revere’s fastest players to enter the end zone on his feet.

All told, Sacco’s 202 yards rushing sent him soaring past the 1,000-career milestone. Sacco also had two interceptions, the latter after skying to bat down a pass from Revere quarterback Jose Fuentes and then securing the football on what would be the final defensive play of his career.

Unsung hero Sean Dolen

Winthrop did the little things well, notably on special teams where Sean Dolen made one of the biggest plays of the game, one that Cicatelli admitted was frustrating for the home side.

Following Winthrop’s second touchdown, placekicker Domenic Spinale adroitly lofted a kick past Revere’s front line and Dolen recovered the kick in stride. Dolen was a major contributor in every role the coaching staff asked of him this season, most importantly on his blocking assignments on offense. Dolen also showed that he can bring the firepower on offense as well, rushing for  154 yards and a touchdown in the victory over Revere.

Though Winthrop didn’t score after recovering the onside kick, Revere coach Lou Cicatelli said it was “a huge moment” in the direction of the game.

“That play [onside kick] hurt us,” said Revere coach Lou Cicatelli. “We practiced it, but we didn’t react well. It took away a key possession for us late in the half.”

A stellar game plan

It appeared early on that Sean Dolen would be the featured back in the offense as the Revere defense focused on Sacco.

“Revere clearly put their best defensive players opposite of Seth, which is probably what you should do, but I’ve been saying it for a while, you have to have three good backs, and we have three very good backs, and you saw it on Thanksgiving,” said Cadigan.

Nick Romano rushed for a touchdown in the game and was a vital part of the 380-yards rushing total for the Vikings. Romano was one of the key blockers on Sacco’s pivotal 93-yard touchdown run.

Nick Romano and Chris Messina were the “pulling” blockers through the hole on the Sacco TD, according to Coach Cadigan.

“On the play side, you had [captain] Roy Konospaka, Chris Beshere, Riley Moccio, and Jeremy Pena blocking down,” said Cadigan. “Normally the fullbacks leads on the criss-cross play, but we ran it out of an empty set (backfield) and the tackle kicks out and fullback acts like the pulling tackle. Any time you get Nicky Romano pulling, that’s pretty big.”

Sean Dolen also scored a touchdown on the new variation of the criss-cross play.

Revere coach Lou Cicatelli will retire following 2026 season 

Revere head football coach Lou Cicatelli was coaching his penultimate Thanksgiving game as he has announced that he will be retiring following next season (2026). He will also retire from teaching after one more year.

Cicatelli has been the head coach for 23 seasons in Revere.

All-Conference/All Star selections

Winthrop placed six of its standouts on the Northeastern Conference All-Conference and All-Star Teams.

Seth Sacco, Sean Dolen, Nick Romano, Chris Messina, and Riley Moccio were selected as All-Conference honorees.

Desmond Cassidy earned a spot on the NEC All-Star Team.

Jack Fabiano of Masconomet was the league MVP. Masco’s Pat Sheehan was the NEC Coach of the Year.