The Frontier Regional football team will look to win its third straight Thanksgiving eve game over rival Mohawk Trail, at 6 p.m. Wednesday in South Deerfield.
The Red Hawks (6-3) and Warriors (5-4) have been facing off since 1933. Last season, the Hawks won 53-12, while in 2017 they won 43-12.
“It’s like the Michigan versus Michigan State rivalry,” Frontier tight end Donovan Hoffman said. “How they compare Michigan to the big brother and Michigan State to the little brother. I’d say we’re the big brother and Mohawk’s the little brother. They like to talk a lot but as the big brother, you have to bring your little brother back down to earth.”
Frontier holds a 47-32-6 all-time series advantage over the Warriors.
It’s been a roller coaster of a season for Mohawk. First, the team inherited a group of players from the disbanded Turners Falls squad.
The team won its first three games of the season, but then fell to McCann Tech followed by losses to Palmer and Ware.
The Warriors bounced back with wins against Drury and Greenfield, but the offense was unable to generate anything against Mahar in a loss two weeks ago.
“It’s been up-and-down this season,” Warrior coach Doug McCloud said. “When you throw the ball, you live and die by it. I want our kids to perform to the best of their ability all day. My intention is to win every game. We haven’t been beaten by a team that is very superior to us.”
Frontier’s rushing attack has been an issue for opponents. Senior Ito McMillan is just 24 yards rushing away from 1,000 this season, a mark the Red Hawks are determined to get him to.
“Coaches made it a priority for him to get there,” Frontier quarterback Garrett DeForest said. “We have to get our blocks down.”
Sophomore Josh Semaski is second on the team with 441 yards rushing on 94 carries.
It’s also been a strong senior season for DeForest, as his 322 yards on the ground are third on the team. He’s also been a weapon through the air when called upon, completing 50 percent of his passes for 483 yards and four touchdowns.
Hoffman is the team’s leading receiver with 234 yards and three scores on 10 receptions. McMillan isn’t only a threat on the ground, as his nine catches have produced 140 yards.
After falling to Chicopee in the semifinals of the Western Massachusetts Division 7 Tournament, the Red Hawks are hoping to end their season the right way tonight.
“It’s bittersweet,” DeForest said. “Everyone’s excited to play but there’s also that feeling that it’s the last one of the year and maybe the last one ever for most of us. Mohawk’s usually our biggest rival. We play for that trophy and the main goal is to bring that back here. We’re going to do everything in our power to do that. You bring your 100 percent in these games. All the guys in college and from past years are going to be at the game. You want to show out for everyone and for your town. We’re not even playing for us. We’re playing for all the seniors before us. It’s tradition, it’s everything.”
Added senior captain Andrew Logan, “It’d mean a lot to get that win. We’ve been playing since third grade. Over half my life, I’ve been playing football. Final time putting the pads on, I’d love to end it on the right note.”