Milton and Braintree Look Ahead to a Thanksgiving Tradition

For 80 years, it's been a war on the gridiron between the and Braintree High football teams on Thanksgiving Day. Now after the Wamps have held the George Ramicourt Cup for the past two seasons, coach Dave Flynn is well aware of the challenges that await him.

In last year's match-up the Wamps held on to a thrilling 10-7 victory along with a 21-13 win in 2008. Milton, who last captured the cup in 2007, rolled to a 42-20 win three years ago.

This time around, the 81^st Thanksgiving Day rivalry between the two teams will be at Braintree High School with kickoff slated for a 10 a.m.

"It's going to be a battle, no doubt about it,'' said Flynn. "We're two evenly matched teams, and this is a game that's probably going to come down to one or two plays. We have to go out there and play mistake free football. If we do that, then I think we have a great chance of pulling out the win."

Leading the way for the Wamps will be senior quarterback Cameron Lee, who is not only a threat on the ground, but also in the air. Throughout the season, he's thrown for 11 touchdowns and over 800 yards while, keeping opposing defensive backs at bay. Also contributing at the skilled positions will include seniors Doug Jensen and Zach Burns at running back, as well as Cody Boyle, who's served as an all-purpose back.

Another receiver in the mix for the Wamps has been senior Colin Pratt, who hauled in three touchdown receptions. Other key assets for the Wamps include offensive linemen Jake Harris followed by Ryan Stratton and junior Mykel Lane. Serving as the primary tight end will be Tim Dutcher.

"We have a lot of great guys on this team, and they've been working extremely hard over the season,'' said Flynn. "The seniors have done a great job providing some great leadership for the younger guys."

Defensively, the Wamps will look to Hooper at defensive back along with senior Matt Anson at free safety. On the line of scrimmage will be Stratton and Lane followed by Dutcher, who will rotate between inside and outside linebacker. Positioned at either strong safety or cornerback will be either Pratt or Boyle, who've emerged as solid two-way players throughout the season.

"We have some great athletes, who have been solid for us as two-way players,'' said Flynn. "We know that we're going to have to do everything we can stop their running game. It's definitely not going to be easy, and it'll be one of the many challenges for us."

Defensively, the Wamps are going to have to find a way to stop senior running back and Bay State Conference All-Star Kemani Jones. In just 10 games, Jones has accumulated 11 touchdowns, 10 rushing and one receiving, while amassing over 1,200 yards of total offense.

"He's (Jones) is one of the most dangerous athletes in the conference,'' said second-year Wildcat coach Jim Bowes. "He can turn it up field on a dime, and he's been a huge part of our offense. He can pound the ball up the middle and he can also cut to the outside and gain some huge yardage."

Leading the way at quarterback for the Wildcats has been Matt Regan, who has accumulated for 1,200 passing yards along with 12 touchdowns.

"He's had a great season for us, and he can do a lot of different things,'' said Bowes. "He can throw the ball down field and also does a great job with the play action and screen passes. He's very accurate, and he's also very tough to bring down."

Serving as one of Regan's main targets has been senior Matt Lezama, who's hauled in close to 800 yards and six touchdowns. Another main target for the Wildcats has been the emergence of Terrence Walsh.

At the line of scrimmage, the Wildcats will be guided by the dynamic duo of Bay State Conference All-Stars Nick Noonan and Olajuwon Dickerson, who have held the fort on both the offensive and defensive line.

"They've been huge for us all-season long, and they've been the heart and soul of the line,'' said Bowes. "They deserve to be all-stars and they have the potential to take their game to the next level."

Serving as safety will be Jones while Regan and Walsh should emerge as the prime corner back and safety. Also delivering as key roles in special teams, offense and defense will be Robbie O'Neill, Diante Hopkin and Matt Hunt.

"To win this game, we have to play well in all three phases of the game, and that includes offense, defense and special teams,'' said Bowes. "We can't make costly mistakes, and we can't turn the ball over. We have to protect the ball, and make the key stops on defense."

In last year's 10-7 loss, the Wildcats established prime opportunities, but were snake bitten by turnovers and key penalties.

"We marched the ball up and down the field, but we couldn't put it in the end zone,'' said Bowes. "We kept making mistakes and shooting ourselves in the foot, and we can't do that again. Braintree has a dangerous quarterback in (Cam) Hooper. He's very deceptive with the play action, and they have a couple of guys in the backfield that can make the big play."

As for the game's outcome, both coaches have admitted that it'll be another highly contested battle.

"It's going to be a close game, and whoever makes the big play is going to win the game,'' said Bowes. "We haven't won it since (2007) and we feel pretty confident that if we play smart, mistake-free football, that we'll be able to pull out the win."