PEABODY — Colby Therrien has one football game in his high school career, and he wants to win it.
The Peabody senior will take the field Thursday morning against Saugus for the last time as a Tanner, a moment that has been four years in the making.
“It’s obviously going to be kind of a sad day because I’ve given so much to football and the program,” said Therrien. “But at the same time, we all want to go out with a win and finish things off on a high note. I’ve played football for 10 years now and it’s all come down to this, so I’m excited.”
Therrien has done a little bit of everything in his time with the Tanners. A talented athlete who also plays lacrosse for Peabody, Therrien has seen time at quarterback, running back and slot receiver in various situations. Peabody coach Mark Bettencourt said it’s the only way you can utilize someone of Therrien’s ability.
“The thing about Colby is he’s just such a great athlete,” Bettencourt said. “He played full-time quarterback out of necessity at times last year, but we really like to move him all around. He plays quarterback in some packages, running back in others and receiver in others. The idea with Colby is to put him in a position to be able to make plays and then let his ability take over.”
“I really enjoy it to be honest,” Therrien said of his ‘jack of all trades’ position. “I like being able to affect the game in different ways and play all over the field. It has opened my eyes to see the field from all angles, which I think has helped me become a better player.”
But on the field talent isn’t the only thing Therrien brings to the table. A team captain and a great student in the classroom, Therrien leads by example in more ways than one.
“Colby is just a great kid on and off the field,” Bettencourt said. “He’s not a rah-rah kind of guy, he more leads by example, but he does it in so many ways. He’s a great student, a hard worker and a team player. He’s all you can ask for in a team captain.”
“When I was named a captain after last year, it really was one of the happiest days of my life,” Therrien said. “I meant so much to me that my brothers picked me to be one of the team leaders, and I’ve tried to live up to that every day.”
And so now it all comes down to one final game — Thanksgiving morning against rival Saugus. The game holds significance for a lot of people as it’s not only Therrien and his senior class’ last game, but it’s also likely the last Peabody-Saugus rivalry game to be played at Stackpole Field. Not to mention, Peabody would like to continue its streak of five straight Thanksgiving victories.
Therrien wants to make sure he and the Tanners go out on a high note.
“It would mean a lot for the program,” Therrien said. “The rich tradition of the Peabody and Saugus rivalry is so great. I don’t know many other rivalries that have a team dinner with both teams before they play, but we do. It’s just one of the things that makes it special. It will be so much fun to play at Stackpole one more time, and we’re looking to come out of there with the win.”
“It’s something that each class can pass along to the next, so I think it means a lot,” Bettencourt said of the winning streak. “Colby appreciates the history of the rivalry and what it means, and I know he’s going to want to make his mark by extending that winning streak by one more game before he leaves.”
Peabody and Saugus will kick off Thursday morning (10) at Stackpole Field in Saugus.