Manchester Essex football coach Joe Grimes was pleased with almost everything about his team’s Thanksgiving Day game against Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical: The Hornets pulled out a 22-14 win in their final contest of 2024. The seniors on his team ended their high school football careers on a high note and Manchester Essex broke a three-game losing streak.
Add in the fact that the game itself recreated a rivalry that extends back more than 100 years, a prospect that both schools were excited to revive, and this was a Thanksgiving that was almost perfect for Grimes and his team. There was one thing that the coach would change in future years, but it’s one that’s pretty much out of anyone’s hands at any level.
“Overall, I think it was a great success,” explains Grimes. “If I could change one thing for next year in Manchester it would be: 50 degrees and sunny.”
The coach was obviously referencing the windy, rainy weather that afflicted both teams and their fans on November 28. While the weather may not have been optimal, the Hornets didn’t let it rain on their parade, overcoming some turnovers and jumping out to a 14-0 lead before halftime and staving off a comeback attempt by the 2-8 Hawks in the fourth quarter.
“We were able to weather the storm, both literally and figuratively,” says Grimes. “It was raining most of the game, but Essex Tech also came out fast and tough on defense and took away the ball three times (two interceptions and a fumble). Those guys are well-coached and were fired up in their throwbacks and played a lot tougher than their record. They seemed ready to go for the new tradition and will be ready for next Thanksgiving, I’m sure.”
The win was a big one for the Hornets after Manchester Essex suffered a string of three close losses from the end of the regular season into the postseason. The victory helped to ensure that the Hornets would finish 2024 with a winning record (6-5 overall) and that the team’s seniors would finish their high school football careers on a high note.
“You don’t want to end your high school career on a sour note especially when it’s been four years on the squad,” explains Grimes. “A lot of growth happens in those years and it’s really nice to see it end with a ‘W.’”
Those seniors were instrumental in helping Manchester Essex get that “W.” Senior tight end Jarrett Croft threw a touchdown pass to twin brother Carson for the first score of the game during the Hornets’ opening drive.
“Great moment for them but also a clutch play at a great time,” says Grimes. “Wasn’t going to be a lot of scoring in that weather.”
Senior Gabe Magee closed out the scoring for Manchester Essex in the fourth quarter with a successful two-point conversion, while junior Zach Hurd continued to be a catalyst for the Hornet offense, scoring a one-yard touchdown run in the second quarter (Hurd hit Noah Cohen on the two-point conversion) and a 49-yard touchdown run in the fourth.
“We were able to jump out to a lead early and a couple stalled drives hurt their momentum early,” explains Grimes. “They battled back in the 4th and I’m proud of my guys to keep their focus and finish the game. Hard-fought, physical
game all morning and really what you love to see on Thanksgiving.”
Both schools seem to be keen on seeing this kind of performance between the two football teams on Thanksgiving in the future. The Hornets had traditionally played Georgetown on Thanksgiving since the 1990’s, but had to scramble to find a replacement in 2023 when the Royals didn’t have the numbers
to field a varsity squad. North Middlesex was a last-minute add to give the Hornets a game on Thanksgiving Day, but too much distance and too little history existed between both schools to continue that as a new tradition.
The opportunity to pit Essex Tech and Manchester Essex football against one another was far more appealing after the schools returned to the Cape Ann League recently and were in need of a rival located nearby. Both schools have a history
that goes back to at least 1918 – when Essex Agricultural School and Story High School (the previous monikers for the now regional schools) – giving the matchup some precedence as well.
“I hope this is the start of a long, long rivalry,” says Grimes. “We’ve got tons of respect for Coach Connors and the whole Essex Tech Athletics organization starting with TJ and Tara who help us set up the successful pre-game breakfast.”
Should the matchup repeat itself, many of the same Hornet players will be back to compete in it for a second year in a row. Manchester Essex will lose only five seniors as Magee, the
Croft brothers, Satchel Rubin and standout lineman Cian Brennock will graduate in the spring.
“We’re only losing five to graduation this year.” They are a bunch of great kids. Cian Brennock (Sr. OL/DL) was a four-year varsity player and a three-year starter on both lines. His leadership as a captain has
been wonderful and he’s made an impact that will be felt for years to come.”
The seniors and the returning underclassmen will have a lot to remember and learn from now that 2024 is in the books.
“We had some great wins and some tough losses, but we had a very resilient group that always stuck together,” says Grimes. “They were very calm and focused in the meeting room, weight room and practice field regardless of the situation, week to week.”
He adds: “I’ll remember the photos on Thanksgiving and the bus rides and the long days and all the help we get to put on a football season.
At the school, in the press box, on the field or at home there are so many people who make it happen. I appreciate all of them. It’s a huge effort and I’m so grateful for all of them.”
