Revere, Winthrop set for Thanksgiving showdown after long layoffs

By Dom Nicastro

The Revere-Winthrop Thanksgiving rivalry is more than a football game. It’s a century-old tradition, a measuring stick, a neighborhood line in the sand. And this year, both teams arrive rested, reloaded and coming off unusually long 20-day breaks when they meet Thursday at 10 a.m. at Harry Della Russo Stadium.

The Patriots enter at 4–6. The Vikings comes in at 3–6. Neither has taken a snap since Nov. 7.

It isn’t the rhythm either team expected heading into one of the state’s longest-running Thanksgiving rivalries. But a twist in the schedule — Belmont opting out of its game against Revere last week — left the Patriots idle. Winthrop, meanwhile, chose not to play in its second-round consolation game after a tough Division 6 playoff loss to Stoneham. So here they are: two rivals with fresh legs, unpredictable timing and everything to play for on Thanksgiving morning.

A rivalry with over 100 years of history

Revere and Winthrop first met in 1913, making the matchup one of Massachusetts’ oldest Thanksgiving traditions. The Vikings hold a 60–32–3 all-time lead and have controlled the recent meetings, winning the last three:

2024: Winthrop 25, Revere 0.

2023: Winthrop 22, Revere 0.

2022: Winthrop 25, Revere 6.

Revere’s most recent win came in 2021, a 16–13 victory. Since then, the Patriots have scored just six total points across three matchups against Winthrop.

Revere’s season: a mix of youth, breakthroughs and lessons

Revere’s 2025 season has been defined by a young roster learning on the fly and flashes of potential that suggest a bright future. The Patriots hit their high point on Oct. 31 when they beat Everett for the second straight year — something even longtime coach Lou Cicatelli couldn’t recall happening in program history.

The Patriots have leaned on their ground game all season. Sophomore quarterback Jose Fuentes — nearly 1,000 all-purpose yards this fall — has grown into one of the program’s most reliable playmakers, dangerous both as a runner and passer. Reda Atoui continues to be a force on both sides of the ball; Mario Ramirez has given Revere a power element in the backfield, and Sergio Peguero’s versatility has surfaced in big games.

The offensive line, once shaky, has matured steadily, giving Revere the physical presence needed to run its Wing-T staples, including the counter play known as “Sally” that helped beat Everett.

But the Patriots staggered into their long break after a 27–6 loss at Newburyport. Cicatelli said poor practice habits and inconsistent execution showed up on the field. Belmont canceling last week’s scheduled matchup left Revere without a game to stabilize its momentum heading into Thanksgiving.

Still, Cicatelli believes the rest has helped. “We had a nice, hard practice tonight, watching film, and we’re back after it now,” he said about halfway through his 20-day prep for Winthrop. “I think we made it. Hopefully it makes a difference.”

Winthrop: a late-season surge and a dangerous run game

Winthrop started 0–4, but that team is long gone. The Vikings won three of their next four heading into the playoffs and nearly upset Stoneham in a 30–20 loss on Nov. 7. They had won three out of four heading into the playoffs, including a 7-6 win over a 6-1 Gloucester team in a Northeastern Conference battle in Winthrop.

Senior captain Seth Sacco has been the engine of Winthrop’s turnaround. Against Stoneham, he rushed for well over 100 yards and added three touchdowns. Sean Dolen opens holes for Sacco, while Nick Romano, Michael D’Ambrosio and Desmond Cassidy have anchored a physical defense.

Winthrop’s special teams are also a major storyline with multiple kickoff return touchdowns this season and one of the most effective kickers in the region, according to reports. Cicatelli said on film, that unit “is very, very good,” and possibly the best Revere will face this year.

“They can pop the ball anywhere on kickoff return,” he said. “There’s no way I’m kicking to them.”

Neither team has played in nearly three weeks. But they head to Thanksgiving having won three of their last five and rediscovered their identity as a run-heavy, physical team that can strike quickly.

The matchup: two familiar teams who know what’s coming

These programs know each other’s formations, tendencies and special packages. Very little in this matchup is a surprise.

“We know what they’re going to do, and they know what we’re going to do,” Cicatelli said. “It’s just a matter of who runs the ball better and who tackles better.”

For Revere, that means consistent blocking, fewer mistakes than last year’s meeting and keeping Winthrop from landing explosive special teams plays. For Winthrop, it means trying to handle Revere’s multiple-back approach and containing Fuentes’ scrambling ability.

The traditional night-before meeting, and the stakes

Revere holds its traditional night-before-Thanksgiving gathering again this year, a chance for players to reflect on their season, their relationships and their lives. It’s always emotional, Cicatelli said. It always resets the room. And for many seniors, it’s their last football meeting — ever.

Cicatelli makes sure they understand what this game means. “They know it’s a big game,” he said. “And it’s something that they’ll never forget.”