Milton Wins Thanksgiving Day Game Against Braintree

Braintree MA, Veteren's Memorial Field, November 22, 2012.

Waiting four years to finally hold the Thanksgiving Day George F. Ramacorti Trophy and a win over Braintree hasn’t been easy for Coach Jim Bowes. The last time the Milton Wildcats (6-5) beat the Braintree Wamps (3-7) was 2007 under coach Steve Traister. 

The following year Bowes took over as head football coach for the Wildcats when Traister became the Athletic Director for Milton. The next four seasons were difficult for the new coach as Milton struggled in the strong Bay State League.

But on this day Bowes was finally able to raise the Trophy high in the air as his team the Milton Wildcats had just defeated the Braintree Wamps 24-7.

When these two teams meet on Thanksgiving Day season records rarely mattered  because this is about the bragging rights. This is the game all the seniors will remember. Because next year they will reminisce on the sidelines with former players recalling the day they took to the field for their high school on Thanksgiving Day.

Bowes knew that two of the previous loses were decided by field goals and two by a touchdown. The last time he was here at Braintree’s Veteran's Memorial Field his team lost by a field goal with 2 seconds on the clock. 

Milton won the coin toss and kicked off to Braintree for the 83rd time as the game began. Since this contest started Milton held a slight edge 42-38 with one tie. 

Milton would get on the scoreboard first as Raheem Hosein rammed his way into the end zone dragging a Wamp with him. Joe Kennedy kicked the extra point.

The Wildcats would take the 7-0 lead into the second quarter. QB Liam Collins would orchestrate the next score with his running backs, Jonathan Pierre, Chula Loomis and wide receivers Chavinskee Milcent and Kareem Patterson all made crucial plays. 

At the 20 yard line Collins threw a high, slow-traveling ball and left it up to Milcent to jump up and retrieve it for the TD. Kennedy would kick the extra point and Milton would take in a 14-0 lead at half-time.

In the third quarter the Wamps were on their game as QB Anthony Luisi made several perfect passes to his favorite receiver Michael Karpowicz. Karpowicz would nearly catch a TD pass, but Milton’s Milcent would get a little too close drawing an interference call from the referee. Luisi made good on a TD, dropping a short pass to Derek Anson and the Wamps were on the scoreboard. Thiago De Assis Pinto would kick the extra point with Milton still holding the lead 14-7.

After recovering a fumble by Pierre, Braintree's next drive was cut short when Conor Regan intercepted a Luisi pass near Milton’s 40 yard line.

As the third quarter closed down Collins connected with Tyler Greene for 30 yards, setting up a 40-yard field goal attempt. Kennedy would just miss the mark at the start of the fourth quarter giving the ball back to Braintree on their 20 yard line. 

Led by Captain’s Andrew Hunt and Conor Regan, the Wildcats defense dug down deep keeping the Wamps in their own territory and forcing the punt.

Milton’s Leroy Goodman, filling for an injured Pierre, marched up the field and scored on a 1-yard plunge into the end zone. Kennedy would add the extra point giving Milton the lead 21-7.

With time running out Luisi would attempt to pass his way into Milton territory only to be stopped by the Wildcats defense. The inevitable was capped when line-backer Robert Lynch sacked Luisi behind the line of scrimmage.

Milton’s next possession would bring them into the Wamps territory and Kennedy would attempt another field goal making this kick hit its mark from 37 yards out giving the Wildcats 24-7 lead.

The Wamps would have one more possession only to have Tyler Greene intercept the Luisi pass sealing the win for the Wildcats 24-7.  

"The second half of the year, this team really started playing together," said Bowes. "I’m so proud of these kids. What a way to end the season.”

“I can finally go home and enjoy my mother’s Thanksgiving Day dinner," said Milton High Defensive Coach Brian Mackinaw.