Hingham Football Survives Last Minute Drive To Win Thanksgiving Day Thriller

Four quarters of Thanksgiving Day football came down to one final play at Hingham High School on Thursday.

Down by three points  with less than a minute left, Scituate  quarterback Tyler Murphy threw a perfect pass to senior captain Mike Stewart, who caught the ball in the end zone and then dropped it as he hit the ground.  After a few minutes of discussion, the referees ruled the pass an incompletion, and the Hingham Harbormen threw their hands in the air to celebrate the 17-14 Thanksgiving Day victory.

“It is what it is,” said Hingham Head Coach Paul Killinger after the game. “The kid has got to make a play. We lost a couple of tight games the same way.”

After leading 10-7 at halftime, Hingham increased their lead midway through the fourth quarter when junior QB  Joe Spaziani hit junior receiver John Fisher in the back of the end zone for a touchdown to lead 17-7. 

“They weren’t going to let us run the ball so we had to make some passes,” Killinger said. “

Scituate bounced right back with a touchdown of their own. They trailed 17-14 but could not hold on to beat the Harbormen.

Fisher was named MVP of the game after he had an interception early in the game and kicked a field goal at the end of the first half to go along with his touchdown catch.

“That’s a pretty good day for anybody,” Killinger said about Fisher’s performance. 

After the game Fisher said he had mixed emotions and said the most memorable part was winning.

Spaziani also scored the first touchdown.  It was a short quarterback sneak after a powerful 46 yard run by running back Sam Benger set up first and goal for the Harbormen.

Hingham junior linebacker John Kay also had an interception in the victory.

Hingham has now won 9 out of the last 10 Thanksgiving Day games against Scituate.  The Harbormen lead the series 12-7.  Hingham’s 17-14 victory was also Killinger’s 100^th victory as head coach.