15 Q's with Mashpee and Sandwich football captains on Thanksgiving

MASHPEE — Thanksgiving football is an annual tradition all on its own. Matchups being played go back decades, alumni lining the field, and family and friends coming together for an early kickoff, ahead of the rest of the day's festivities.

The Mashpee Falcons (7-4) hosted the Sandwich Blue Knights (5-6) in an annual battle between two teams that reached the playoffs.

Mashpee emerged victorious, beating Sandwich 22-15. After the game, Mashpee captains Makai Hue and Ethan Costa, and Sandwich captains Ryan Gill and Stephen Trombly, each gave their rapid-fire thoughts on the 2023 season, and all things related to Turkey Day.

1. Favorite moment from the season?

Costa: My favorite moment was coming back (against) Martha’s Vineyard. I was injured the first two games and had the best game of my career.

Hue: Just being able to play every game with my team. I love that. They’re a blessing to work with and I’m going to miss them a lot.

Gill: Probably coming back (from being) down 12-0 at the half against Rockland, winning and getting into the playoffs.

Trombly: Beating Rockland to get into the playoffs.

2. Best win of the season?

Costa: (This was) the best win of the season, with all the alumni here.

Hue: I think I’m going to say this one. We fought really hard.

Gill: Against Rockland. We played our butts off in the second half.

Trombly: (Rockland) That was probably the best one, coming back at the end of the game.

3. Best part about Thanksgiving football?

Costa: Being able to come out and play the game I love. (There’s) nothing like it, on a holiday too.

Hue: Definitely just being able to play on Thanksgiving, and then you have a beautiful meal after. Also, it’s about family and just being grateful for every one.

Gill: Family.

Trombly: It’s the last one (game) for everybody, so it’s nice to send everyone off. This one was mine so it’s pretty surreal.

4. I describe my team as...

Costa: Relentless. We never give up.

Hue: I’d say motivated. Not just motivated for themselves, but also they motivate each other. We feed off each other's energy.

Gill: Family.

Trombly: We’re tough, this is a tough team. These kids, they got some grit.

5. My head coach is...

Costa: The greatest. There’s no one like coach (Matt) Triveri. He gets us ready every week, (and) he’s just been a huge role model for me all four years of high school. He’s believed in me, and I couldn’t thank him enough.

Hue: Oh he’s amazing, he’s awesome. He’s kind, he’s loving, he’s caring, and he always wants all of us to succeed.

Gill: Awesome.

Trombly: New, but he helped us out.

6. Best Athlete on the team?

Costa: It’s got to be Makai Hue, my boy, I love Makai. He’s the best player on our team, he’s the heart and soul of our team, and we wouldn't be nearly as good as we are without him.

Hue: The best athletes are the ones that just put in the work.

Gill: Adam Ferreira, no doubt.

Trombly: Adam (Ferreira) is a great athlete. He’s a multi-sport athlete, he does it all.

7. Fastest on the team?

Costa: When he’s healthy, Logan Wills.

Hue: Definitely Logan Wills.

Gill: Owen McElroy.

Trombly: Gabe Oullette.

8. Team MVP?

Costa: Team MVP? Our O-line and D-line.

Hue: I think it's the kids that stepped up this year.

Gill: Adam Ferreira.

Trombly: We’ll give that one to Adam (Ferreira) too.

9. Player who stepped up that surprised you?

Costa: Daniel Alade. He’s a sophomore (who) didn’t get many varsity reps last year, and he stepped up hugely and was a major player for us this year.

Hue: Daniel Alade and Shea Taylor. Those two … they're crazy.

Gill: Gabe (Oullette). No. 6, freshman, coming into the offense (and) running as hard as he can.

Trombly: Owen McElroy.

10. Favorite Thanksgiving Tradition?

Costa: Going over to my grandmother’s house and eating her Portuguese stuffing.

Hue: Definitely having everyone over at my house. Usually, for dessert I have all my friends over, and we're all together there.

Gill: Watching the NFL.

Trombly: Getting together with family, (and) just eating.

11. Turkey or Ham?

Costa: I’m a turkey guy.

Hue: Ham, definitely.

Gill: Turkey.

Trombly: Turkey.

12. Best Side?

Costa: Probably stuffing.

Hue: Mac n cheese, all the way.

Gill: Mac and cheese.

Trombly: Cranberry Sauce.

13. Most overrated Thanksgiving food?

Costa: Cranberry sauce, I think that's overrated.

Hue: Turkey and stuffing.

Gill: Sweet potatoes.

Trombly: Mac and cheese.

14. Favorite dessert?

Costa: Apple pie.

Hue: Apple pie.

Gill: Apple pie.

Trombly: Apple pie.

15. Halloween, Thanksgiving or Christmas?

Costa: Personally, Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday

Hue: Christmas.

Gill: Christmas.

Trombly: Christmas.

André Simms covers high school sports for the Times. Contact him at asimms@capecodonline.com. Follow him on X/Twitter: @that1guyandre.

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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: 15 questions with Sandwich and Mashpee High football captains