Thanksgiving Football: D-2, D-2A, D-3

MASCONOMET VS. NORTH ANDOVER

Over in the Cape Ann League, Masconomet was trying to cap off a perfect record in league play and punch their ticket back to the postseason. The only thing standing in their way was the 8-2 Scarlet Knights of North Andover.

It was a winner-take-all game in front of a packed house in Topsfield.

Masco was up 12-0 in the second quarter when quarterback Chris Splinter threw deep down the middle to Evan Bunker for the touchdown and an 18-0 lead for the Chieftains.

But North Andover wasn’t going to lie down. The go-to guy Zac Iovanella scored his first of three touchdowns to make it 18-7.

But Masconomet’s offense was just too explosive. Bunker had a huge day with three touchdowns, leading Masco to the 40-20 win.

The Chieftains are heading to the playoffs.

CONCORD-CARLISLE VS. BEDFORD 

Another do-or-die game for the Dual County Small title. Concord-Carlisle (7-3) hosting Bedford (7-2).

Concord-Carlisle senior Jaron Hargrove had a big day. He broke one off for 79 yards down the sideline for a 6-0 Patriots lead.

In the second quarter, he took it in from 24 yards out. He had three TDs on the day.

Concord-Carlisle took home the title with a 24-7 win.

In the Division 2-A playoffs, Concord-Carlisle will face Masconomet, and Marshfield will take on Duxbury. The Marshfield Duxbury game will be a rematch of today’s Thanksgiving game, in which Duxbury won 14-7.

WALPOLE VS. WEYMOUTH 

One team not heading to the playoffs this year is defending D-2 state champion Walpole. The Rebels came up just short of the postseason, but for senior running back Ryan Izzo, 2009 has been a record-setting year.

He’s now the state’s all-time leading scorer coming into Thanksgiving Day with 98 touchdowns

He went out in grand style too. Walpole won their annual Turkey Day game over Weymouth 37-18, and Izzo scored five touchdowns. He is the first player in state history to score more than 100 touchdowns over his career. He finishes with 103 TDs in his four years at Walpole. 

SWAMPSCOTT VS. MARBLEHEAD 

In D-3, it was Swampscott and Marblehead facing each other for the second straight year.

>> See photos from this game here

Early on, Marblehead got it going through the air. Hayes Richardson threw up top to Alex Haigis for the touchdown, making it 6-0 Magicians.

But Swampscott stayed in the game with defense. Jake McDougal picked off another pass to McDougal in the first

Marblehead struck again in the second quarter, when Richardson threw over the middle to sophomore Will Quigley who took it in 20 yards for the touchdown.

Marblehead won the game 32-27 and improved to 9-2.

They’ll take on Rockland in the D-3 playoffs, and Bishop Feehan will play Dighton-Rehoboth in the other game.