Patriots battle, but Vikings extend Thanksgiving run; Cicatelli announces 2026 will be his final season

By Dom Nicastro

Revere had waited 20 days to play a football game. On Thanksgiving morning, at Harry Della Russo Stadium and a century-old rivalry renewing again, the Patriots walked in believing their late-season growth might be enough to flip a matchup that hasn’t gone their way in recent years. Instead, Winthrop extended its holiday hold on Revere, using big plays from senior captain Seth Sacco to claim a 29–12 victory — the Vikings’ fourth straight win in a rivalry that began in 1913.

The loss dropped Revere to a final mark of 4–7, but the morning carried a larger storyline: Head Coach Lou Cicatelli confirming that the 2026 season will be his final one at the helm. “It’s time,” Cicatelli said. “Next year I’m going to come back, finish teaching, and then retire.”

The announcement by the physical education teacher at the high school closes in on the end of one of the longest coaching tenures in program history. Cicatelli has spent 23 seasons as Revere’s Head Coach and 27 total with the Patriots. He has coached for 35 years overall, including stints at Everett, Burlington and Melrose, and has been a physical education teacher at Revere High School for 26 years.

Sacco’s breakout day turns the tide

Revere stayed within reach early. After Winthrop opened the scoring with a 13-yard run by Sacco and a two-point conversion, Revere responded with a 20-yard touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Jose Fuentes to Anthony Pelatere, cutting the deficit to 8–6 in the second quarter. But Winthrop closed the half strong and led 15–6 at the break.

The turning point came early in the third quarter. Revere had pinned Winthrop at its own 3-yard line and forced a third-and-long. The Patriots called timeout, got the alignment they wanted and knew what play was coming. Sacco still found a crease, bounced outside and went 93 yards untouched — a backbreaking swing that pushed the Vikings ahead 23–6.

“That kid was probably one of the best backs we saw all year,” Cicatelli said.

Fuentes answered with a touchdown pass to Mario Ramirez, making it 23–12, but Winthrop recovered the ensuing kickoff and scored again before the quarter ended. Sacco later recorded a couple of interceptions, sealing the game.

A rivalry defined by streaks

Thanksgiving football between these neighbors has always run in cycles, but recent momentum has belonged to Winthrop. The Vikings have now beaten Revere four straight times and have held the Patriots to just 18 total points in those meetings. Since 2022, Revere has scored only twice on Thanksgiving, both coming this past Thursday.

Winthrop now leads the all-time series 61–32–3. Revere’s last holiday win came in 2021, a 16–13 thriller. Before that, Winthrop had dominated most of the early 2000s and 2010s, and the Vikings continued that trend with another methodical, assignment-sound effort this fall.

A young Patriots core continues to flash

Despite the loss, Revere saw more promising signs from its underclassmen. Fuentes threw two touchdowns and played well at safety. Pelatere continued his late-season resurgence. Reda Atoui remained active on both sides of the ball.

But Winthrop’s veteran strength, led by Sacco, proved too much. “We didn’t tackle well, and against a back like that, you’re not going to get away with mistakes,” Cicatelli said.

Looking ahead — and looking back

With the 2025 season complete, the Patriots turn toward 2026 — a year that will carry added meaning because it will be Cicatelli’s final one leading the program. He pointed to the relationships built over decades, the 10–1 run in 2019, signature wins over Everett and countless moments with former players returning to the program as the pieces that define his journey.

“To me, it’s about relationships,” he said. “I’ve made so many good ones with kids.”

He knows next year’s team has potential to contend in the Greater Boston League, with most of its offensive production and defensive starters returning.

But for this season, he leaves Thanksgiving morning with gratitude — and a clear sense of timing. “It’s been a long, serious journey, a good one for the most part,” Cicatelli said. “But it’s time. One more to go.”