Vikings football gives fans a game to feast on in season closer
Wareham Cheerleaders welcome the team to Spillane. Photos by Brandy Muz
Two players celebrate before the game.
The Vikings make a successful tackle on a Canalman. 
The Vikings get ready for the snap. 
Jayden Medeiros makes a push for the endzone.
Coach Cy Bariteau pumps up his team during a time-out.
Wareham Cheer brings spirits up during halftime.
A group of Wareham fans in the stands donned in blue and white.
Will Kenny in his finest Vikings gear.
Even Lexi the comfort dog showed up in Wareham colors.
Fans hoot and holler for a touchdown.
Touchdown for Jj Lawson.
Amare Rose gets the team ready for additional points.
Amare Rose runs for the endzone, avoiding a tackle.
Wareham Cheerleaders welcome the team to Spillane. Photos by Brandy Muz
Two players celebrate before the game.
The Vikings make a successful tackle on a Canalman.
The Vikings get ready for the snap.
Jayden Medeiros makes a push for the endzone.
Coach Cy Bariteau pumps up his team during a time-out.
Wareham Cheer brings spirits up during halftime.
A group of Wareham fans in the stands donned in blue and white.
Will Kenny in his finest Vikings gear.
Even Lexi the comfort dog showed up in Wareham colors.
Fans hoot and holler for a touchdown.
Touchdown for Jj Lawson.
Amare Rose gets the team ready for additional points.
Amare Rose runs for the endzone, avoiding a tackle.
The Wareham Viking’s football team brought it all to the turf when they took to Spillane Field one last time this season in the 92nd Thanksgiving rivalry game.
As dinner plans were discussed in the stands on Thursday, Nov. 27, the players fought hard down below, ending the game with a score of 14-40. Although the The Bourne Canalmen are longstanding rivals, their coach, Richard Paling, has a soft spot for the Vikings.
Paling is as "Wareham," as can be. Alumnus, teacher and native to the gateway to the Cape, he said he will always have love for his home town.
"I wish the best for Wareham, I played for Wareham," he said. "But I also get very tight with the players as I coach. I love these guys too— it's a back and forth thing for me."
Over 40 years ago, Paling stood where the Vikings players stood on Thursday, duking it out for a chance at bragging rights for the next year. Although his final season ends with Bourne, he has also coached across the Southcoast at Old Rochester, Middleboro, Carver and Plymouth.
"It's good but also very sad," he said about retiring, "I love football and I love both towns. It's been a great journey."
No matter the score, as the Vikings were down 0 to 20 in the half, the hordes of Vikings fans in the stands cheered on. Teacher Jeffrey Taber stood on the sidelines to keep people off of the field, although he said he would be at the game even if he wasn't on the clock.
"I haven't missed one game at this field in probably 30 years," Taber said.
Taber highlighted the family aspect of attending a game on Thanksgiving. Living just around the corner from the school, he has fond memories of walking to games with his father.
"It's a proud moment to be a Viking," he said.
One attendee who exemplified the "family" aspect of the holiday game was parent Will Kenny who showed up with a viking's helmet on his head. He could be seen in the bleachers with multiple family members waving cowbells for his son, also named Will Kenny.
"He's a senior," Kenny said. "This is his last game."
Kenny has been supporting his son since he was on the Wareham Tigers team, always making sure to be at the 50-yard line to shout support. He said it's been bittersweet to see it all come to an end, but that he won't miss the daily practices.
As the Vikings managed two touchdowns, Kenny said it's important to show up for games, not just for his child, but for all the other players too.
"They're not our kids but we're all a big family," he said.
