Thanksgiving Morning, the Hillers and Ashland will meet for the 95th time on turkey day. On Thanksgiving versus Ashland, the Hillers lead the rivalry with 51 wins, 38 losses and 5 ties. Last year the Hillers defeated Ashland 11-7 in a hard-hitting defensive battle. The Hillers have won 3 of the last 4 Thanksgiving games versus Ashland but lost in this years regular season meeting 8-7.
Ashland and Hopkinton met up during the season this year and will do so on a more regular basis since Ashland is now a member of the TVL Large division. On September 28th, Ashland and Hopkinton battled in week 4 of the season and it was a defensive struggle that featured only one score in the 1st half. Ryan Kelleher connected with Brendan Kelly in the 2nd quarter for a long touchdown reception. Ashland responded with less than 2 minutes left in regulation, Dom Cavanaugh connected with Kevin Russell for a 15 yard touchdown, Ashland than faked the extra point and threw to the end zone for the 2 point conversion. Nathan Sickles the holder connected with Abid Ahmed to make it an 8-7 Ashland lead and that is how the score would stay. Revenge will certainly be on the mind of the Hillers this Thanksgiving.
Hopkinton enters Thursdays contest with a record of 6 and 4, Ashland is 8 and 2. Both teams lost in the playoffs, 3rd seeded, Hopkinton fell to 2nd seeded Milton 34-7 in the South D4 Semi-Finals, 2nd seeded Ashland fell to 1st seeded Old Rochester in Sectional Finals 28-6.
**Please Note this will probably be the coldest thanksgiving game in both schools history, If you plan on going, DRESS WARM!!**
Below, view some highlights of recent Thanksgiving battles between Hopkinton and Ashland.