Credit: Sasha Libenzon

The Wayland varsity football team will take on Weston High School on Thanksgiving at 10 a.m. in the final game of its season. “This game means everything,” senior Finn Bumstead said. “It’s the last football game we will ever play in our lives.”

Thanksgiving can have a different meaning to everyone. Thanksgiving could mean food or spending time with family, but for the Wayland varsity senior football players, this Thanksgiving marks the last time they will be putting on the orange and black jersey.

“This last game is when I can give it everything I have got and also get some payback for the Thanksgiving loss my junior season,” senior captain Jack Kerrigan said.

Wayland will host Weston in its annual Thanksgiving Day game at 10 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning. This year, Wayland has had a bounce-back season with a 7-3 record. Last year, the Warriors struggled with a 1-10 season, which was capped by a loss on Thanksgiving morning. As a result, revenge is on the minds of some of the seniors on the team this year.

“This game will be a great chance to redeem [last year’s loss], reclaim the trophy and send the seniors out on a really positive note,” senior captain Dylan Aufman said. “I have had this game circled since the end of last season.”

This year, some Wayland football players are taking the field with a chip on their shoulders and are eager for revenge.

“Last year was a fluke,” running back and senior Jake Kennedy said. “I can’t wait to dominate over [Weston].”

The Warriors hope to make a statement not only against their rivals, Weston, but also to the rest of the Dual County League (DCL).

“I want a message to be sent to the [DCL] that we are back, playing at a high level,” Kennedy said.

While the 48-minute game is a long-standing and important tradition for some Wayland community members, the Thanksgiving game also marks the end of a long football journey for the senior class. Late summer practices, trips to Camp Caribou, team workouts and long bus rides will soon be a memory for players like senior Finn Bumstead.

“This game means everything,” Bumstead said. “It’s the last football game we will ever play in our lives.”

Some players on the defensive end will miss playing football, while some others believe that the brotherhood aspect and team dynamic is most important.

“The friends, coaches and teammates that I gained on this journey will all be on my mind [on Thanksgiving],” Kennedy said. “It is crazy, time flew by so quickly, and I took it for granted.”

According to some Wayland football players, playing football, or any high school sport, would not be possible without the support of family. Some of the seniors recognize that their biggest fans were in the stands and the ones who made their journeys possible.

“I will most certainly be thinking of both my mom and brother, who have always been there for me and give me unconditional support through every win and loss,” Kerrigan said.

According to the seniors, they will remember the football field as a classroom where they learned lessons that will stick with them forever.

“[Football] taught me camaraderie, brotherhood, discipline and how to be grateful, not only for having the chance to play this great game, but for the experiences and what I’ve been taught as well,” Kennedy said.

For some, football taught on-field lessons in addition to off-field lessons as well.

“[Football] has shown me the importance of relationships, work ethic and determination,” senior wide receiver Ben Wright said.

Whether the Warriors win or lose on Thanksgiving, some of the seniors believe they have a lot to be thankful for. This year, they led Wayland to a winning record, a Dual County League Small title, a playoff game and a win over Melrose on their last “Friday Night Lights” game. The seniors are looking forward to their post-game meal on Thursday, consisting of Kennedy’s favorite, mashed potatoes, Kerrigan’s favorite, cranberry sauce, Bumstead’s favorite, Turkey and Wright’s favorite, gravy. While these seniors are looking forward to the different foods, they believe it will taste even better after a hopeful win against Weston.

“I take pride and am appreciative [that we can] be an example for future Wayland teams to come,” Kennedy said.