After a tough season that saw them win only one game, the Wareham High School football team has something to be thankful for.

The Vikings (2-9) dominated the Bourne Canalmen (1-10) in their annual Thanksgiving Day matchup Thursday morning by a score of 44-8.

“Thanksgiving’s always better with a win,” said Principal Scott Palladino upon co-presenting the team, along with Superintendent Dr. Kimberly Shaver-Hood, with the Superintendent’s trophy, which goes to the winner of the Wareham versus Bourne matchup.

The Vikings controlled the contest from start to finish, and nearly shut Bourne out until the Canalmen scored their only touchdown with 2:34 remaining in the game.

Wareham running back Josh Onujiogu scored first at 6:05 in the first quarter on an 18- yard touchdown pass from freshman quarterback Isaac Nascimento, who started his first game of the season in place of senior quarterback Stephen Toal. Coach Dan Nault said Toal went down with an injury earlier in the week.

“(Nascimento) only had a day’s notice,” said Nault, adding that he was able to get a lot of reps in practice the day before.

Nascimento, who also plays running back and defensive back, led the Vikings down the field for another 18-yard TD pass to senior wide receiver Xavier Foggie, making the score 14-0 with 7:51 in the first half.

Wareham scored again with 47 seconds left in the half on another TD pass from Nascimento to Foggie, making the score 20-0.

Wareham was able to cause a Bourne fumble on the first play of the following drive, with junior Nick Elicier returning it for a touchdown. With a successful two-point conversion pass from Nascimento to Foggie, Wareham led 28-0 going into halftime.

Wareham kept up the intensity after halftime, recovering another Bourne fumble.

After a deep pass completion on third and long from Nascimento to senior running back Stephen Florindo, Florindo followed the play with a long touchdown run, only to have the run called back for a holding penalty.

Florindo got another chance on the very next play, and he ran for an even longer TD down the very same sideline with 7:39 left in the third quarter, making the score 34-0. Senior Mike Labonte then ran in a two-point conversion, making the score 36-0.

On Wareham’s next possession, Labonte had a long run from around midfield that set up his own five yard rushing touchdown that made the score 42-0. Senior Jayshawn Morgan capped off the scoring with a reception on a two point conversion from Nascimento, making the score 44-0.

Nault said the big difference on defense was the return of Elicier, who had been out for the prior three games for undisclosed reasons.

“Having #33 really helped us,” said Nault. “His presence on defense was really good for us.”

“It's been a long season for a really young team, added Nault, saying he was happy for his graduating group of seniors. “They really worked hard, and they worked to show a lot of the younger kids some things on the field.”

Nascimento also said he was happy to get the win for the seniors.

“We were slacking in a couple games (earlier in the year),” said Nascimento, who finished with three touchdown passes, “but we came out with confidence, pride, and heart. We wanted to get a win for our seniors.”