Fans Brave The Cold for Dedham Marauders Pep Rally

About 100 fans of Dedham football braved the frigid autumn weather and attended the second annual Thanksgiving pep rally at Memorial Field last night. The Dedham Marauders (2-8) will take on the Norwood Mustangs (6-4) at 10 a.m. on Dedham’s brand new turf field.

Carmen Dello Iacono, host and organizer of the event, revved up the crowd as the team and cheerleaders showed up on the back of flatbed trucks supplied by Jack’s Towing. The Dedham High School band played as they arrived, with a fire and police escort.

“That maroon- it’s infectious,” Dello Iacono said referring to Dedham’s uniform colors. “It goes right through you.”

Head Coach David Flynn had great words for the 22 seniors on the team, as well as the future of Dedham football.

“This football team is going to strive in the next few years but it needs the help of the community,” said Flynn.

Flynn thanked the community involvement, particularly the Parks and Recreation office which took care of them by giving them a field to practice on. He spoke highly of his team, which has battled hard throughout the season despite their 2-8 record.

The team won two straight games midway through the season and has had a couple games that were decided by a touchdown or less. He admitted to the crowd that the seniors have not had an easy year, saying that they have made sacrifices and remained dedicated all year long.

“These boys have accomplished a lot this year and I am very proud of them,” said Flynn.

Flynn noted that this year there were 30 freshmen to start the season, with 25 remaining. He also said that Pop Warner played in the Super Bowl recently. The combination of this shows a bright future for the Marauders. He encourages young, tough athletes to join the team and help Dedham be great.

“I want everyone here to know that the Marauders are back,” said Flynn.

Several seniors spoke at the pep rally as well, including Tight End and Linebacker James Driscoll who said what every Dedham fan wants to hear.

“We are going to bring the trophy back where it belongs- back to Dedham,” said Driscoll.

Longtime Dedham fan Herb Keough had strong feelings for this year’s team and said that he was very proud of the seniors. With all the peaks and valleys that the team had gone through, he called the team “very underrated” and predicted a good win for Thanksgiving.

“I think you are going to see some of these kids really step up tomorrow,” said Keough. “These kids are going to play their hearts out.”

Cheer on your home team and enjoy the first Thanksgiving game at the brand new field, taking place at 10 a.m. at Dedham High School.