Special time of the year

Region - This is a very special time of the year. No doubt about it. Fall high school playoff season, neighborhood Thanksgiving football action, and even some high school Super Bowl action. November is a time memories are created for many high school athletes. Years later when they look back, it will be these days that they remember. And often the recollections will come with a sigh, "those were the best times of my life."

Time to talk a little turkey. Hard to believe that holiday ball is just days away. Where has the high school football season gone? When you want to talk about days that will be burned into memories, for high school athletes, cheerleaders, band members and anybody that has anything to do with football, Thanksgiving morning might be at the top of that list.

Everything seems magnified. There is clearly a very diff erent feeling on Thanksgiving morning football days. These are the highlights. Even high school Super Bowls arguably pale in comparison to the big neighborhood rivalries.

Holiday football is much more than a game. It is a gathering, it is a community, it is an extended family reunion for many. Everything seems brighter, the colors, the noise, the hitting on the field.

For the players, seasons and even high school careers and legacies are made on the field on these special days. Have a big game on turkey day, and your story will be retold for years. It might even be enhanced a bit over the years. Records coming into the big game are nearly meaningless. Even the worse seasons can be made memorable with a big performance. Lots of things are made on this special football day.

But most of all, it is memories that are made on Thanksgiving morning. So if you have anything to do with it, make sure you take some time to look around, and soak it in. These are the special days.

Colonials make

history Shrewsbury High's field hockey team went where no other had gone before as the Colonials won their first-ever Central Mass. championship with a 1-0 victory over Westborough Oct. 8. The Colonials didn't back into this, as they defeated the second seed in the semi-finals and the top seed in the championship game.

The Colonials got all the scoring they needed when sophomore Alyssa Ineson netted one in the first period. That goal held up with some fine defensive play, including four saves from Colonial goalie Kim Ryan.

An indication of how important defense is in this sport, Ineson's goal was the only goal allowed by the Rangers in the post-season. Shrewsbury in their run to the title didn't allow a goal.

Coach Lauren Chenevert had her team peaking at the right time, as the Colonials defeated always tough, second -seeded Notre Dame Academy in the semi-finals in certainly what is considered high scoring in this sport, a 3-0 victory. Senior Kathryn Nelson came up huge, scoring all three for her team.

Westborough, the tournament's second seed, was masterful on defense all season and their run through the playoff s produced much the same. The Rangers defeated Quabbin, 1-0, in the semi-final round with Karyl Murphy scoring the game's only goal.

While there will be some disappointment in not bringing home the Rangers' fourth Central Mass. title under coach Colleen Debish, Westborough had an outstanding season finishing 16-2-2 overall, and should look back fondly on this season, once the disappointment of the CMASS finals fades a bit.

Week 11

pigskin forecast:

Assabet Valley at Keefe Tech, Saturday Nov. 17 at 1 p.m. There is no Thanksgiving football for the Aztecs so this season ender with Keefe has become the tradition. Only this year, this isn't the end for AV, as they are playoff bound. PREDICTION: Assabet 35-21.

Marlborough at Hudson, Thanksgiving, 10 a.m. This is a classic, one of the country's oldest holiday foot ball traditions, now 100+ years old. PREDICTION: Marlborough 28-14.

Hudson Catholic at Valley Tech, Thanksgiving, 10:30 a.m. It has been a long and trying season for the Green Waves, who could take a lot of sting out of their season with an upset here. PREDICITION: Valley Tech 21-6.

Westborough at Algonquin, Thanksgiving, 10:15 a.m. PREDICTION: Algonquin 21-20.

Milford at Shrewsbury, Thanksgiving, 10:15 a.m. An undefeated regular season likely on the line …. need I say more? PREDICTION: Shrewsbury 28-14.

St. John's vs. St. Peter Marian, at Holy Cross, Thanksgiving, 10:30 a.m. Unusual regular season for the Pioneers finishes with a good one here. PREDICTION: St. John's 21-13.

Send mail and sports ideas to ronwoodcock@charter.net.