HUDSON – The 121st Marlborough-Hudson Thanksgiving Day game belonged to the Hawks.
Community members gathered at Hudson Bowl on Thanksgiving to watch the Hudson Hawks dominate the Marlborough Panthers. The Hawks’ 41-0 win – which was the largest margin of victory in series history – was Hudson’s first victory over the Panthers since 2010.
“These guys know the history,” Hudson Head Coach Zac Attaway told the Community Advocate after the game. “Some of them have been a part of those losses. But we move forward – we focus on the present… That [losing streak] may have been discussed by others, but not here. We told them to focus on the present and take care of business here today.”
Hudson did, in fact, take care of business. Logan Luz scored late in the first quarter, putting Hudson ahead 7-0. Marlborough fumbled the kickoff, and less than 15 seconds later, Hudson’s Jake Attaway scrambled for another touchdown, putting the Hawks ahead 14-0.
Hudson would add to the lead with 8:26 remaining in the half. Attaway found Nolan Yates to extend the Hawks’ lead to 21-0. Just fifteen seconds into the third quarter, Attaway hit Savion Newton-Clark for a 65-yard touchdown that made the game 28-0.
The Hawks would score 13 more points, but with the game firmly in control, the points were “just gravy.”
After losing in the MIAA Division 6 semifinals on Saturday, the Hawks had to prepare for Marlborough on an abbreviated schedule. Hudson still had plenty of firepower.
“I saw a team that wanted to respond after a loss. I saw a team that wanted to win. They came out with energy. They came out with a lot of pride – a lot of heart. It’s all gas, no breaks for these guys and that’s been the statement of the week,” Attaway said.
The Thanksgiving Day win concluded Attaway’s first season as Hudson’s head coach.
“I couldn’t ask for a more amazing group for my first year. I told my seniors that they’ll always be special to me – I’ll never have a first senior class ever again. It’s onward and upward from here; we have bigger goals for next season,” said Attaway.
