By LIAM O’BRIEN
Waltham Times Contributing Writer
For most across America, Thanksgiving Day is centered around food, family and friends.
In Waltham and many Massachusetts towns, a third component is just as sacred. High school football is as integral to the holiday as the turkey itself for the friends and family who will watch the Hawks host rival Arlington High next Thursday morning at Leary Field.
The holiday game marks the last football game for the 2024 season.
“You win on Thanksgiving, the turkey tastes better and the dessert is better,” Waltham High head coach Sean Brackett said. “It’s what it’s all about. It’s football and family.”
It’s the perfect American tradition for many of the players on the team. Extended families will travel from far and wide to join mothers, fathers and siblings in the stands to cheer on the Hawks for the 10 a.m. kickoff.
Brackett and the athletic department expect a joyous atmosphere at the contest, with plenty of recent alums joining the crowd.
“I don’t think you can have a better thing on Thanksgiving than this game,” Brackett said. “We’re looking to have a great crowd. It’s usually one of our most packed games and it’s always fun to see familiar faces.”
Thanksgiving Day football holds a special place in the hearts of most football players, but especially Brackett. The Griswold, Conn., native capped off his high school career by firing a game-winning Hail Mary with 0.5 seconds left to shock his rival team on the holiday in 2008. Making the story even more sweet, his now-wife was the captain of the cheerleading team on the opponent’s sidelines.
“We didn’t meet until later on,” Brackett said. “But the first time we met, she was like, ‘Oh, I know who you are.’ It’s great having that rivalry. With us and Arlington, it’s the same deal. It’s always a great battle.”
So far in Brackett’s tenure, the Hawks are 1-2 against the Spy Ponders. Waltham will look to ride a recent surge of momentum to notch their second Thanksgiving Day victory in three seasons. The team has rattled off two wins in a row in postseason play heading into the tilt.
“The biggest thing we got back to this year is the Waltham pride, the Waltham toughness,” Brackett said. “Just bringing that swagger back, the last few weeks especially.”
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