For Dartmouth High’s senior football players, their final Thanksgiving matchup against Fairhaven will be one to remember with a blowout 41-0 win against the Blue Devils. 

Despite playing in Fairhaven’s home turf, the Indians wasted no time establishing a solid lead. Quarterback Nolan Ellis scored the Indians’ first touchdown of the morning just a few minutes into the first quarter.

It would not be Ellis’ only major play. Over the course of the game, the senior scored two more touchdowns and captured an interception to stop a Blue Devil advance.  

“The options were open, and our line was blocking,” Ellis said. “Everyone was just doing their jobs and it allowed me to get open on the field. Everyone was working together to get a nice win.” 

The Blue Devils were no match for Dartmouth’s defense, as they struggled to push through to the red zone throughout the matchup. 

Touchdowns by Cadence Chase, Patrick Crane, and Ethan Marques solidified the Indians' 41-0 win. 

For Ellis, it was the best way to celebrate his final football game of the season. 

“This game meant everything to me,” Ellis said. “This was my last game, and I’ve never lost to Fairhaven, and I wanted to end my last game big and we caught a nice win today.”

Things have certainly changed for Ellis, who joined the varsity team in his sophomore year, and rose to the role of quarterback quickly and unexpectedly.  

“It’s been a long, long process, and Coach White and all the coaches have helped me to develop to where I am, and all of my teammates have helped me.” 

At the time, he played alongside his brother, quarterback Nate Ellis. But when Nate suffered a season-ending injury, Nolan stepped into the role of quarterback, where he’s only grown from here. 

“Ever since then Nate’s been guiding me, guiding me through my position and helping me,” Ellis said, noting that his brother was there to see his final high school varsity game. 

Head Coach Rick White noted for his seniors, it was the perfect end of the season — and what he used as motivation heading into the game. 

“I told them before the game, we’ve got 16 seniors you guys, and the pressure’s on you to deliver today,” White said. 

“I thought the kids rose to the occasion and played hard,” he added.