Hopkinton High School senior Max LaCascia scores a touchdown during the Hillers’ victory over visiting Ashland on Thanksgiving Day.
PHOTO/TRICIA LACASCIA PHOTOGRAPHY

The Hopkinton High School football team handed Ashland its first loss of the season on Thanksgiving morning, cruising to a 26-7 victory at David Hughes Stadium in the annual rivalry game.

Ashland’s starters played just one quarter, as the Clockers wanted to ensure they would be healthy for the Division 6 Super Bowl on Dec. 7 at Gillette Stadium. Hopkinton took advantage, scoring 26 consecutive points after allowing an early touchdown.

Hopkinton, which closed the season with three straight wins, finished at 5-6 and expanded its lead in the Thanksgiving Day series to 53-37-5.

Senior quarterback Robby Bernardin rushed for one touchdown and passed for two others — to junior Cam Mulvaney and senior Max LaCascia — and was named the game’s Offensive MVP. Senior Andrew Saporochetz was named Defensive MVP. Senior Zach Levy was named Unsung Hero.

A few days later Saporochetz picked up another honor when he was named Tri-Valley League Defensive Player of the Year. Junior Cole Salyards, who ran for Hopkinton’s first TD against Ashland, was named a TVL All-Star.

Jones competes in NYC

HHS junior Olivia Jones earned All-Northeast third-team honors after placing 27th in the Foot Locker Northeast Regional cross country race on Nov. 30 in New York City. Jones finished the challenging 3.1-mile course at Van Cortland Park in the Bronx in 18 minutes, 54 seconds. …

Nine HHS student-athletes attended the MIAA Sportsmanship Summit at Gillette Stadium. Representing the Hillers were Tommy Bernardin, Caroline Connell, Angie Grabmeier, Kristin McCluskey, Tiffany Mikulis, Mirabella Paolucci, Cole Salyards, Ron Shamus and Jacob Sokol. Grabmeier and Connell were named finalists in the MIAA essay contest. …

In the annual HHS girls football game on Nov. 22, the senior class rolled to a 37-0 victory over the juniors. …

In the 18th annual Tom McIntyre Turkey Bowl, a football tournament featuring HHS alumni from 1994 to 2018, the Hiller Thrillers took the title.