The 23^rd edition of the Barrington-Mt. Hope High School football classic will be held Thanksgiving morning at 10 o’clock at Barrington’s Victory Field. This year, unlike recent seasons, it’s anybody’s guess who will win. Both teams are out of the playoffs in their respective divisions, and only pride and honor remain.

The overall record of each team implies that Mt. Hope is probably the favorite. The Huskies finished in fifth place in Division II-A with a 3 and 4 (5 and 5 overall), while Barrington is still in search of its first win of 2015. The Eagles were 0 and 8 and in last place in Division I, the state’s toughest conference. They finished 0 and 11 overall. Furthermore, the Blue & Gold only scored six points in eight division games and 24 points overall. Not a typical Barrington football season, to be sure.

However, despite all of that, this is the one game that counts the most for both schools, and you can throw the records right out the window. When these two teams confront one another, anything goes, and on Thanksgiving Day, both coaching staffs are expected to pull out all of the stops. That’s how important this game is to everyone concerned.

There are two very specific goals for both teams: Barrington hopes to extend its Turkey Day dominance over the Huskies with victory number nine in a row, while the Huskies are out to stop all of this frustration with a game-winning performance of their own.

By the numbers, Barrington leads the all-time series, 15-7. They’ve won the last eight Thanksgiving Day games in succession, and 14 of the last 15. The only time Mt. Hope has been able to celebrate a victory since 2000, was in 2006, when they beat the Eagles, 22-6, at Mt. Hope High’s Dietz Field. During the past 15 meetings, the Eagles have outscored the Huskies by a whopping 395-136, winning by an average of more than two touchdowns a game.

That’s a lot for Mt. Hope fans to digest, but this is another year, and the Huskies have improved over last season.

“Injuries have been one of our big issues all year,” said Huskies head coach T.J. DelSanto. “Junior quarterback/linebacker Coby Castriotta has been out all year with a broken leg, and senior quarterback Sam Hollands showed great improvement early in the season before suffering a torn ACL against Woonsocket. He had thrown four touchdown passes earlier in a non-league game against Middletown. When he went out, that changed our offense a lot.”

Losing its two top quarterbacks to injury has placed a heavy burden on junior backup quarterback Vin Berretto, who will start the Thanksgiving game against the Eagles.

“He’s been asked to play an important role at his position, and has done a great job since he took over at quarterback,” said Coach DelSanto. “He’s improved every week.”

Junior running back Corey Cardoso has been a valuable asset to the Mt. Hope offense since day one. He’s the team leader in touchdowns with 10 and was among the top rushers in Div. II-A .

“He’s the heart of our offense,” said Coach DelSanto. “We depend more on our running game now, and he’s one of the keys.”

Mt. Hope also features a very athletic offensive line spearheaded by juniors Josh Canario and Neil Thibaudeau, sophomore Aaron Myers, and seniors Eric Moskala and Trevor King. Josh Canario, son of Bristol Police Chief, Josue D. Canario, also does the placekicking for the Huskies.

“He’s been very effective for us this season,” said the coach. “I don’t think Josh has missed an extra point all year.”

Defensively, Mt. Hope has been very aggressive and steady all season long. Eric Moskala and Trevor King have blueblood imprints. Eric is the son of former Bristol High School All-Stater and Brown University star Ted “Moose” Moskala, and Trevor is the grandson of former Bristol High All-State/All American running back and URI standout, Roland “Rollie” Rodrigues.

“I think if we show up and play the type of game we’re capable of playing, we’ll be OK,” said Coach Del Santo. “Our kids have worked hard all year. They’ve always given their best effort every week. Our focus will be on Barrington. We know that in this great series, nothing is ever guaranteed. You have to work hard if you want to win.”

Like Mt. Hope, Barrington has been injury-riddled all year long.

“We’re decimated with injuries,” said Coach Sandy Gorham, who came back into the Barrington fold as head coach this year after a Hall of Fame career at East Providence High School. “We’re just a shell of our former selves.”

In addition to that, the Eagles came into the season young and untested after losing 23 seniors last year.

Senior Nick DiPaola, a rugged 6-foot, 190-pound running back/middle linebacker, got hurt in the Injury Fund game, and junior middle linebacker/offensive tackle David Kelley, has played injured throughout the course of the season.

“David has been an excellent player for us,” said the coach. “He’s a solid player and a legitimate Division 1 talent.”

Coach Gorham also faced more injury problems to his starting quarterback and backup quarterback, as well as one of his top linemen, who broke his hand.

“It’s been a struggle to keep any type of continuity,” he explained.

Despite all of the hardships, there have been some bright spots, like senior lineman and captain David Guglielmo and junior linebacker Lucas Dillon.

“Both have done a great job,” said Coach Gorham, “and they’re tough as nails.”

He added, “Senior outside linebacker Troy Ruggiero has played with a broken hand and gives us a great effort all the time. Kyle Leste has also played hard. Both are tough kids.”

Obviously, the 2015 season has been a learning experience for many of the younger players on the Eagles squad, and with Mt. Hope coming to town for the season finale Thanksgiving Day, the challenge will reach new heights.

“These kids have never lost their spirit,” said Coach Gorham. “They’ve been good, coachable kids. I’m proud of them. They’ve hung in there and did their best. A lot of the younger kids got a lot of playing time this year. Mt. Hope will present a great challenge for us.”

Coach Gorham said his team is excited at the prospect of playing the Huskies.

“Mt. Hope is a good football team,” he noted. “They play tough and hard. They have a big, offensive, athletic line, and I know my kids will be anxious to go up against them. We have to eliminate foolish turnovers and mistakes. This is our last game, and I’m sure the fans will be excited.”

In essence, this will be the Super Bowl game for both teams.