21 November, 2018
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.
