The following is a press release from Mystic Valley Regional Charter School:

“Certamen” is Latin for competition, and it is the name for a Latin trivia game played by schools across the country. There are three levels of questions asked: Novice (Freshmen), Intermediate (Sophomore Latin II students), and Upper Level (Latin III and IV level students). Roxbury Latin School recently hosted a Certamen Competition with a number of teams competing from schools like BC High, Boston Latin School (BLS), Boston Latin Academy (BLA), et al.

We asked the two first-year coaches, Medford’s Rico Dello Iacono and Malden’s Joe Pappagallo, their thoughts going into the Thanksgiving game:

What was the biggest surprise this season?

Dello Iacono: ‘‘I just think the overall attitude of the team, the attitude shift. A team that went 0-11 last year and 1-10 the year before, I expected to take a lot longer than it did to get their attitudes to change. But quickly I saw a change in them the first couple of weeks, not even the first couple of weeks. The first week of camp, their attitude was completely adjusted and they started coming together as a team.’’

John Blanding/Globe Staff
Medford's Rico Dello Iacono and Malden's Joe Pappagallo, both in their first Thanksgiving battle as head coach.

By Maureen Mullen, Globe Correspondent

With the weight of 121 years of history and tradition spanning parts of three centuries and the spirit of thousands of alumni, the responsibility can be enormous.

When Malden and Medford face off today for the 122d edition of their annual Thanksgiving Day showdown, that history will be felt. For the last two years the game’s trophy has resided in the office of Dan Keefe, athletic director for Malden High, which holds the series advantage at 57 wins, 54 losses, and 10 ties in what is either the nation’s second- or third-longest continuous rivalry (depending on whom you ask). The first annual Malden-Medford Thanksgiving Day game was in 1889, and it has been played every year since. Two non-Thanksgiving games were also played in the early years.

‘‘For folks here at Malden High School, we’ve had to educate some of the kids new to the school, new to the city, because they don’t understand the context,’’ said principal Dana Brown. ‘‘But when they hear that they’re participating or rooting for a team in a historic game, it really does take on a different meaning because this really is a rivalry that a lot of schools would love to be a part of.’’

We asked the two first-year coaches, Medford’s Rico Dello Iacono and Malden’s Joe Pappagallo, their thoughts going into the Thanksgiving game:

What was the biggest surprise this season?

Dello Iacono: ‘‘I just think the overall attitude of the team, the attitude shift. A team that went 0-11 last year and 1-10 the year before, I expected to take a lot longer than it did to get their attitudes to change. But quickly I saw a change in them the first couple of weeks, not even the first couple of weeks. The first week of camp, their attitude was completely adjusted and they started coming together as a team.’’

John Blanding/Globe Staff
Medford's Rico Dello Iacono and Malden's Joe Pappagallo, both in their first Thanksgiving battle as head coach.

By Maureen Mullen, Globe Correspondent

With the weight of 121 years of history and tradition spanning parts of three centuries and the spirit of thousands of alumni, the responsibility can be enormous.

When Malden and Medford face off today for the 122d edition of their annual Thanksgiving Day showdown, that history will be felt. For the last two years the game’s trophy has resided in the office of Dan Keefe, athletic director for Malden High, which holds the series advantage at 57 wins, 54 losses, and 10 ties in what is either the nation’s second- or third-longest continuous rivalry (depending on whom you ask). The first annual Malden-Medford Thanksgiving Day game was in 1889, and it has been played every year since. Two non-Thanksgiving games were also played in the early years.

‘‘For folks here at Malden High School, we’ve had to educate some of the kids new to the school, new to the city, because they don’t understand the context,’’ said principal Dana Brown. ‘‘But when they hear that they’re participating or rooting for a team in a historic game, it really does take on a different meaning because this really is a rivalry that a lot of schools would love to be a part of.’’

DIVISION 1
Cambridge (0-10) at Everett (6-2) 52d meeting (Everett leads, 39-10-2)
Lowdown: This is about pride for the Falcons, on a 12-game losing streak since November 2008. Everett, again, has the Greater Boston League title heading into the game.
Malden (4-5) at Medford (5-4) 122d meeting (Malden leads, 57-54-10)
Lowdown: Victory would cap a turnaround for new coach Rico Dello Iacono’s Mustangs, winless last season, and give Medford the first above-.500 finish in five years.
Chelmsford (6-4) at Billerica (9-1) 82d meeting (Chelmsford leads, 54-22-5)
Lowdown: This will pit MVC Large champ Billerica and the leading passer in Division 1, Nick LaSpada, against the Lions and the leading scorer in Division 1, Joe Gennaro.
Lowell (1-9) at Haverhill (0-10) 108th meeting (Haverhill leads, 53-46-8)
Lowdown: Hillies haven’t won a game since Sept. 12, 2008; Lowell on seven-game losing streak.
Somerville (3-6) at Matignon (3-6) 2d meeting (Somerville leads, 1-0-0)
Lowdown: A Somerville offense that is scoring 15.1 points per game matches up with a Matignon attack averaging 9.9 per game.
Xaverian (10-0) at St. John’s Prep (4-5) 42d meeting (Xaverian leads 22-19-0)
Lowdown: The Eagles can capture Catholic Conference title with an upset, and a BC High loss to Catholic Memorial.
Andover (6-4) at Central Catholic (7-3) 37th meeting (Central Catholic leads 18-17-1)
Lowdown: The Golden Warriors will attempt to even the series, while Central Catholic will complete its first season above .500 since 2006.

By Travis Andersen, Town Correspondent

More than 400 Medford High School students have pledged on Facebook to boycott the cafeteria food during the week after Thanksgiving, with one junior calling the fare unhealthy and unsafe in a separate chat forum, a charge Superintendent Roy Belson denies.

In a message posted to a members-only Yahoo chat forum, junior Zac Bears said he wanted the public to know what the dissidents have cooked up.

By Travis Andersen, Town Correspondent

The City Council is scheduled to vote tonight on a slight increase to all municipal pensions that could bring retirees an extra $360 annually.

The city Retirement Board requested the increase, which would take effect on July 1. The board estimates that the bump would cost the city an extra $16,000 each month, and it appears headed for certain passage.

Suzanne Kreiter/Globe staff

Medford resident Martha Coakley on the campaign trail.

By Kathy McCabe, Globe staff

Medford public school students will be off on Dec. 8, the primary day for the special election to fill the seat of the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy.

Five of the city’s 16 polling locations are at public schools: Andrews Middle School and the Brooks, Columbus, McGlynn, and Roberts elementary schools.

Schools also will be closed on Jan. 19, the day of the final special election. Each day will be treated like a snow day.

Traffic and safety concerns for students is mostly the reason for the closing, City Clerk Ed Finn said.

Criterion Development Partners
Some of the apartment buildings at River's Edge.

By Travis Andersen, Town Correspondent

The owner of a 220-unit luxury apartment complex standing mainly on the Medford side of River's Edge - a 200-acre, mixed-use development spanning Malden, Medford, and Everett - is using YouTube to promote the units.

The Bedford-based Criterion Development Partners announced the release of the video last week. It touts the complex's "modern luxury, natural surroundings, and urban location" among other perks.