Reading-Stoneham A Clothes Call For Sannella and Family
Let's face it, the past two years have been challenging for Matt Sannella. Top drawer, bottom drawer, closet ... did he have anything to wear to his family's Thanksgiving dinner that was blue and white?
"Not much, just a sweat shirt," said Reading's senior quarterback after Monday's practice.
Thursday morning Sannella has an opportunity to flip a family tradition and keep the sweat shirt where it belongs, at the bottom of some drawer. All he has to do is beat 11-0 Stoneham.
You can blame Matt's issue the past two years not only on the Spartans but also his brother Mike. With family in both Stoneham and Reading, Mike came up with the idea that parents, spouses, siblings, nieces, and nephews all must wear the colors of the team that wins the Thanksgiving Day game. That means, until 44 minutes of football is over, no one knows what they're wearing for the holiday and it's been that way for some 15 years.
Despite the wardrobe issue, not everyone in the family picks sides Thursday.
You might think Stoneham principal Donna Cargill would be cheering for the Super Bowl bound Spartans. But Cargill isn't just a high school principal. She's also Matt's aunt, the sister of John Sannella, Matt's father. For the record, she has just one wish: "I root for a safe game with no injuries for players from either school."
After decades of dominating the series (Reading holds a 62-17-4 advantage), Stoneham has won the last two years.
"It's been tough," said Sannella of dinner in blue at his grandparents home. "I never really knew what it felt like to wear blue and white because growing up, every single year, when I was watching, before I was even in high school, I was wearing red and black."
Thursday will be the first time Sannella can actually do something about the outcome. As a 9th grader, Sannella played on the freshman football team. That season was cut short.
"Five minutes into the second game of the year vs Masco I actually broke my leg right over there, " said Sanella pointing to a spot on the RMHS turf. "I missed the whole freshman season and half my basketball season too."
Sophomore year he played on the varsity but was limited to special teams, including a few plays at Gillette Stadium during the Rockets Super Bowl game with King Philip. It's the only season he's played on Thanksgiving.
Last year as a junior, he started at safety and slot receiver but injuries forced him to take over at quarterback for 2 1/2 games before he separated his shoulder in a game against Arlington. He watched from the sideline as Stoneham beat Reading, 24-20.
Sannella and Cargill often exchange texts or calls, usually involving football. Most of the time that means wishing Stoneham well, or congratulations on a good game.
"We go back and forth. At the end of the day it's family. It's a good rivalry to have," said Sannella.
But Sannella would never trash talk with his aunt. In fact, he's complimentary of Cargill.
Do you think she'd look good in red and black?
"Absolutely."
Photo by Bob Holmes
