Waltham High School football team stamps season with big Thanksgiving Day game at Arlington

The Hawks football season may be coming to a close, but perhaps the most fun game of the year is still on the horizon.

“Football” and “Thanksgiving Day” are synonymous, and Waltham High School will get the chance to play a fierce rival this Thursday morning when they head to Arlington High School for a 10:00 a.m. tilt.

Turkey Day football always makes for a good time, with family and alumni coming in from all over. Despite rather brutal weather conditions last season, fans came in droves to support the Hawks at Leary Field. WHS ultimately succumbed to the Spy Ponders, 22-6, and they will be looking to avenge the loss this time around. In that contest, the Hawks fought back from a tough start to get close at halftime after now-junior Austin Lucente hauled in a touchdown pass to bring WHS within one point at the break. The team’s second-half efforts just were not enough to defeat Arlington.

This season has gone quite similarly for the Hawks, as they have come up just a bit short on many occasions. After a hot start with a campaign-opening win over Belmont High School, Waltham has been plagued by some slow beginnings to games. This was a key factor in the team dropping seven contests in a row after that initial victory.

The Hawks (2-8 on the season) managed to climb back into the win column a few weeks ago, however –  something that could buoy them to an upset triumph on Thanksgiving Day. Facing Lynn Classical High School, Waltham initially fell behind, allowing 16 first-quarter points. The resilient group responded, shutting out the Rams for the final three stanzas while receiving a scintillating performance by senior quarterback Ryan Dragone. The captain flipped three touchdown passes, two of which went to freshman Ryan Ranucci. The upstart wideout finished with 81 catches on four receptions.

Waltham will look to rely on this combination of playmaking and stellar defense against the Spy Ponders, who can certainly register some points on the scoreboard. Playing against Haverhill High School earlier this month, Arlington racked up an astonishing 60 points of offense led by 226 rushing yards and four scores by running back Ori Forest.

It’s going to be up to the Hawks to remain stifling on defense, and senior linebacker Wes O’Connor will play a decisive role if Waltham is able to contain the Spy Ponders. A force to be reckoned with, O’Connor received Dual County League All-Star recognition last week, alongside wide receiver/strong safety Bobby Mendez (DCL Large All-Star) and right tackle Jean Vincent Jr. (DCL Large Honorable Mention).