More at stake for Swampscott, Marblehead

Swampscott and Marblehead will meet tomorrow for the 100th time on Thanksgiving, marking a century of tradition between the schools and communities. With the holiday series tied at 46-46-7, one team will hold the historical advantage for at least one year. But more important is the matter of who will be crowned Northeastern Small Conference champion.

At 6-4, Marblehead has clinched its first winning record in 16 years. Swampscott (8-2) is the defending Super Bowl champion in Division 3. Yet the teams are equals in the conference standings, tied for first at 3-1.

The schools have met before on Thanksgiving with playoff implications for one team - in 1984, when Marblehead ended the Big Blue's playoff dreams, and in 1986, when Swampscott returned the favor, with current Big Blue coach Stephen Dembowski on the field celebrating as a sophomore linebacker.

But the teams have never decided the conference championship on Thanksgiving. Both coaches agreed that the added weight of the 100th holiday meeting, the series lead, and a playoff berth will make for one of the biggest games in their schools' history.

"The atmosphere is going to be electric," Dembowski said. "It's the 100th meeting and the expectations and the conference title . . . it's going to be a great environment for the high school football fan."

Marblehead coach Doug Chernovetz echoed those sentiments.

"The kids know this is going to be by far their toughest opponent," he said. "It's the 100th game and the series is tied. This is the first time in [a long time] that the game, other than pride, means something. That's exciting in itself. Our kids know the significance of this game and just to be talking about a potential playoff bid for us is pretty exciting and something that hasn't happened in Marblehead in quite a long time."

Both coaches stressed the importance of preventing big plays, which both offenses have been known for this season. That task may not be as hard as it sounds. Swampscott will be without Trevor Wheeler (nine touchdown catches) for the fourth straight game after he tore his anterior cruciate ligament against Winthrop, and also minus Ilya Levin, who is out for undisclosed reasons. Marblehead will be missing both its starting and backup quarterbacks - Hayes Richardson (14 touchdowns this season) and Ian McKinley were suspended for violating team rules - leaving senior running back Nick Haller, who has played just a few series at quarterback this season, to run the show.

Chernovetz said his team will need to play with discipline, minimize turnovers, and control possession to keep Swampscott's dynamic offense off the field.

"I think we match up all right with them," he said. "We're certainly at a disadvantage with a new QB, but besides that I think we play solid defense and I think when we get on the field, if we execute, if we minimize mistakes, we can be successful as well."

Swampscott leads the all-time series, 48-47-7, with the schools playing twice a year for a few seasons very early in the rivarly, which began in 1909.

There's one more invitation to the Division 1 playoffs still up for grabs tomorrow. Catholic Memorial visits Dorchester to face No. 3 BC High to determine the Catholic Conference title. Both teams are 8-1. A victory would give BC High another shot at Greater Boston League winner Everett, which beat the Eagles in last year's semifinals.

The playoff field is set in Division 1A and 2. Division 2A has one title up for grabs. Apponequet (10-0, 7-0) will host Old Rochester (7-3, 6-1) tomorrow in a winner-take-all South Coast Conference matchup. Duxbury will play the winner in the first round of the playoffs.

In Division 3, the Tri-Valley League has yet to be decided. Norton (9-1, 7-1) can clinch with a victory over winless Bellingham tomorrow because it holds the tiebreaker over Medway (9-1, 7-1). If Bellingham wins, Medway would take the title by beating Millis.

In Division 3A, the Cape Ann Small still needs a playoff representative. Newburyport, after starting the season 0-5, has won all five of its league contests and can take the title by beating Amesbury tomorrow. If Amesbury comes out on top, the league title will be determined by a tiebreaker between Amesbury and Georgetown based on total points allowed.

In Division 4 tomorrow, the Catholic Central Small will determine a winner. Pope John takes the title if it beats Lowell Catholic. If Lowell Catholic wins, the playoff berth goes to Marian if the Mustangs beat Cathedral.