This year, in the 98th annual Thanksgiving Day Football clash between the Holyoke Purple Knights and Chicopee High Pacers, a special significance can be easily found, as the Knights, for the first time since the 2010 season, when an overtime thriller catapulted the team to the playoffs at a 6-5 record, Holyoke can achieve a season of over a .500 winning percentage, a landmark the program has not reached since.

The past weeks have featured a monumental turnaround for the Purple Knights, who after starting the season 0-5, with some close losses, 22-20 to rival Agawam, and a 24-19 loss to then Western Mass No.1 Central, Holyoke’s has gone 5-0 to even their record at 5-5, featuring some heart stopping close wins, including a last-minute triumph over Westfield 30-29 for the Knights’ first win, on a hook and ladder play between Senior wide out Danny Boyle, and standout Junior Running back Brian Swierzewski for an electrifying win, or the 24-22 victory over then No.5 Minnechaug, in which Holyoke’s run-heavy offense burned the Falcons, and finally, the memorable 42-38 victory over South Hadley, in which a nail-biting fourth down stand clinched the game for the Purple Knights, propelling the team to a .500 record, and a five-game win streak.

Clearly, the Knights have had a great work ethic and commitment, preached by Purple Knights head coach Rick Jewell. When asked about the turnaround,  Jewell stated, “the players are motivated, and are following the program.” When asked about the progress of the team, and how far the Knights varsity has come as players, and young men in just a few games, Coach Jewell said, “we’ve shown we can win tough games, the guys have shown they have learned to win,” summarizing the immense progress the Knights have shown under Jewell, who’s guidance has led the Knights on their five game streak. In their last game, the Knights’ seniors hope to end their High School careers on a high note, and make their final season a winning one.