Wareham Vikings lose Thanksgiving game to Bourne 39-0
Team vows to come back swinging in 2019
Nov 21, 2018
The Wareham Vikings lost their annual Thanksgiving game against the Bourne Canalmen with a score of 0-39. Photo by: Meghan Neely
From left, Abby Wickton, Allison Hortman and Grace Brogioli cheer on the Vikings. Photo by: Meghan Neely
Blanket wrapped fans watch the Vikings from the sidelines. Photo by: Meghan Neely
Wareham football coach Frank Kass discusses plans for next year with the team after Wednesday’s loss. Photo by: Meghan Neely
The Wareham Vikings lost the traditional Thanksgiving game against the Bourne Canalmen 39-0 on Nov. 21, leaving the team with an overall record of 2-9-0 for the season. However, players and coaches vowed to come back stronger in 2019.
The Vikings defeated Bourne on Thanksgiving day in 2017 with a score of 42-8, but with 12 seniors graduated from their roster, the team was only able to field 14 players during the 2018 game.
Wareham coach Frank Kass noted that injuries and disciplinary issues had contributed to the team’s diminished size throughout the season, making each game for Wareham an uphill battle.
“Bourne was well prepared tonight,” Kass said. “And we just didn’t have the size or the strength to pull off a win.”
Wareham previously lost to Bourne this season with a score of 48-20.
The Thanksgiving game, which was originally scheduled for Thursday morning, was moved following frigid weather forecasts.
When the game began at 6 p.m., the temperature at Spillane Field was a chilly 38 degrees. By the end of the first quarter, the Canalmen were leading the Vikings 20-0, and snow had begun to fall.
Dedicated Vikings fans, swaddled in coats and blankets, packed the bleachers and held out hope that, with a score of 32-0 at halftime, Wareham could still get on the board.
Wareham sophomore Caitlyn Baker, who was wrapped up to her nose in blankets, said she believed the Vikings could still pull through.
“It’s rough,” she said. “But we’re here to cheer them on.”
Up in the stands, Grace Brogioli, Allison Hortman and Abby Wickton agreed. Despite the snow and score, the three friends said they wouldn’t be going anywhere.
“Its fun being here and bundled up with friends,” Wickton said. “That’s what the Thanksgiving game is all about.”
By the end of the third quarter, the score was 39-0 with the Vikings doing all they could to keep the Canalmen from scoring further.
“Its a tough loss for a small school,” Kass said. “Next year, we need to be far more serious.”
Following the holiday, Kass said the team would pack on muscle in the weight room and recruit new players for next year.
“The team is going to remember what losing tonight felt like,” he said. “They’re gonna come back swinging.”
