Thanksgiving is a day to spend time with family and friends and to give thanks for all that we have in our lives. Unfortunately, the Bishop Stang Spartans weren't thankful for how their season ended.

The team, who ended its season 7-4, lost the final game 28-6 against Stang's rival team, Bishop Feehan, during the annual Thanksgiving game.

“It’s tough to lose your last home game,” said head coach Ryan Sylvia. “I’m proud of the way we played all season long.”

Sylvia mentioned how he has been with the boys since day one as this year is his fourth year coaching.

Senior captain Jeff Chicca said that he’s going to miss being with his brothers on and off the field.

“We’re one big family,” said Chicca.

The first quarter began with Feehan’s Ben Goslin running for a 45-yard touchdown. The Spartans fought back, but to no avail.

Bishop Feehan senior Michael Pisano scored the remaining three touchdowns for the team over the course of the second and third quarters, while senior Joshua Cayer kicked each time for the extra points.

The Thanksgiving game is also an opportunity for alumni to come back and reminisce about their own high school experiences. Both the 1993 and 2005 Bishop Stang Superbowl Champions were in attendance and honored during halftime.

“The majority of the coaches are the same,” said 2005 champion Andrew DaSilva. “Nothing is really different.”

Among the crowd were mother and daughter Robin and Gabrielle Benoit. Matt Benoit, Robin’s son, passed away in 2006 due to a tear in his aortic arch within his heart. Since that day, his family and friends have attempted to keep his name alive.

Gabrielle, who is a sophomore cheerleader at Stang, wore her brother’s jersey in honor of him and his 2005 Superbowl accomplishment.

The family decided to remember Matt by assisting graduating high school seniors through the Matt T. Benoit Memorial Scholarship, which has helped over 180 seniors by raising approximately $20,000 per year for students at 11 South Coast high schools.

“In the beginning, it was tough for the team to get a rhythm going,” said Gabrielle Benoit. “But towards the end, they pulled together and everyone is now one big family.”

The crowd had a moment of silence for Matt, as well as Roland Vigeant and Jason Mendes, also members of the Spartan football community whom have passed on.

The 1993 Spartans finished undefeated in the conference, finished as Eastern Athletic Conference (EAC) champions and earned a bid to the Division 2 Superbowl. In 2005, the Spartans tied for the league championship with Dartmouth and earned a bid to the Division 2 playoffs.

“There’s been a lot of improvement with our team,” said junior Zachary Lima. “We came together and grew as a team, and I hope that next year we win the EAC championship again.”

Freshman Logan Riley enjoyed his first year on the team.

“It was a fun experience, and I want to play football for a long time,” said Riley.

While the Spartans weren’t happy with the results of the Thanksgiving game, it was a momentous occasion for the seniors as it was their final high school game.

“I’m going to miss being with this group of guys and being with the players,” said senior Lucas Vicente. “My most memorable moment was my freshman year when I got my first touchdown during the Somerset game.”

Senior Caleb Thomas said that he’ll miss the atmosphere, games and his teammates the most.

“It’s nothing like I’ve ever been a part of,” said Thomas. “Now my goal is to win the EAC championship for baseball, too.”

Jeff Mello, parent of senior Jordan Mello, was impressed with how far the boys had come during the season.

“They played awesome,” said Mello. “From start to finish, they’re hardworking kids.”