Have a Safe & Happy Thanksgiving! Vol. 34, No. 48 -FREEwww.advocatenews.net Published Every Friday 617-387-2200 Wednesday, November 26, 2025 MALDEN-MEDFORD GAME #138 ON THANKSGIVING DAY Malden football puts it all on the line in Holiday Classic this week Throw out the Records! This is ‘The Game of the Year’ for these two ancient rivals, dating back to 1889 By Steve Freker I n most years, including this one, Malden High football brings the dawgs out on Thanksgiving morning. For the first time in recent memory, for the past two Thanksgiving Day games, the Golden Tornado team WAS the dog — the underdog, that is. Not so this year. This year’s Game #138 of the longest continuous high school matchup in national history is truly a “throw out the records” dead even matchup. Though Medford does hold the better overall record (5-5) than Malden (37) this time around, both teams have identical Greater Boston League marks with similar outcomes against the same opponents. Both teams also come into this week’s game with some momentum — with Malden claiming an exciting, 28-26 win over visiting Watertown that came down to a conversion attempt with time expired in regulation. It took sophomore star Jayden McGuffie’s game-saving tackle in the Watertown backfield to seal the deal. McGuffie, in the midst of a record-setting year, also ran for over 200 yards for the fourth time this season and scored 4 more touchdowns, giving him 24 for the season. Medford is also coming off a big win, exploding for the most points it has scored in a game since well, no one remembers when, in a 54-34 wild affair over next-door Arlington CathThe Advocate ranks the Top 10 Most Memorable Malden-Medford Thanksgiving Games of All-Time By Steve Freker T he Advocate has researched the extensive Malden-Medford Thanksgiving Day history and compiled a list of what we think are the TOP 10 MOST MEMORABLE GAMES of all time. #10 — MALDEN 42, MEDFORD 15 (November 26, 1974): Malden routs Medford, 42-15, at Pearl Street Stadium for second-year Head Coach Paul Finn’s first Turkey Day win of his 26-year career and a share of the first Greater Boston League title since 1969. Tornado Co-Captain Jeff Sullivan rushed for 130 yards and scored two touchdowns; John Stanasek passed for two TDs and four conversion points; John Ruelle had a touchdown and a two-point conTOP 10 | SEE PAGE 12 olic. Guillerme Martins led the way for the Mustangs with a career-high 252 yards on 26 carries and 3 touchdowns. But despite Medford having a better overall record and the fact the Mustangs are playing at home, the two teams are clearly evenly matched. Even if they were not? This is Thanksgiving Day. It is the final game of the season — last high school game ever for the seniors on both squads — and it’s time to “throw out the records.” “This is the game that everyone waits for, every year,” said third-year Head Coach Witche Exilhomme, himself a former Golden Tornado three-sport standout and football captain (football, basketball, track). “No matter how the season has gone, everyone puts everything on the line for the Thanksgiving game against Medford.” There is other history in this game as well. With a victory, GAME | SEE PAGE 14 Malden Public Safety Police and Fire Dept. Toy Drive is underway Bring new, unwrapped toys for distribution to Malden kids to the Malden Police Station (800 Eastern Ave.) or Central Fire Station (1 Sprague St.) until December 15 By Steve Freker HALL of FAMERS: Former longtime Malden High football Head Coach Paul Finn (at right) coached in more Malden-Medford games than anyone else in history, from 1973-1998. In the 1980s, he had the pleasure of coaching three Hall of Fame quarterbacks — all from the “Air Finn” 1980s — from left, Chuck Borstel (1986), Billy Roderick (1987) and Steve Monaco (1983, 1984, 1985). (Advocate Photo/Steve Freker) t is now officially Holiday Season, and in Malden that means it is time for one of the biggest and most heart-warming events of the year. The Annual Public Safety Toy Drive — hosted and sponsored by the Malden Police Department and Malden Fire Department — is now underway! The men and women of MalI den Police and Fire are now accepting donations of new, unwrapped toys at their respective central headquarters locations. The Malden Police Station is located at 800 Eastern Ave. (Route 60) and the Malden Central Fire Station is located at 1 Sprague St. (directly across Salem Street from Malden High School). The Public Safety Toy Drive is supported once again this year by Malden Councillor-at-Large Craig Spadafora and Ward 8 Councillor Jadeane Sica. Every year, the organizers’ message is: “Together, we can make the holidays brighter for Malden families!” Hundreds of families are able to have a better holiday season with donations from generDRIVE | SEE PAGE 10
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