WEST ROXBURY – Catholic Memorial fans are thankful they have Mekhi Dodd.

Dodd rushed for 159 yards and a touchdown as No. 1 Catholic Memorial defeated BC High, 31-19, to win the Catholic Conference title outright and claim the Pumpkin Trophy on Thanksgiving Day morning at O’Connor Stadium.

The win was the Knights seventh consecutive victory on Thanksgiving Day with the two sides playing annually since 1962. Catholic Memorial (11-1) will now turn its attention to its Div. 2 Super Bowl matchup with King Philip. BC High finishes Paul Zukauskas’ first year at the helm at 8-3.

Lasean Sharp had three touchdowns. Sophomore Jaiden Johnson had a pair of interceptions for the Knights. Attendance was lighter than usual for the meeting between the two arch rivals as downpours lingered throughout much of the game.

“When it rains, the game gets played in a phone booth,” Catholic Memorial coach John DiBiaso said. “Mekhi and Lasean ran hard. Kise Flannery ran hard. It was a tough, muck it up type of game and our guys stepped up.”

Catholic Memorial held a 16-6 lead at the half, but a nifty 20-yard touchdown reception by Gavin Barth on a perfect throw from Carter Carroll trimmed the BC High deficit to 16-12 after three.

With just over seven minutes remaining, the Knights moved inside the five-yard line looking for an insurance score. A second and six handoff went array and BC High looked poised to come away with the football and a chance at taking the lead but Dodd swooped in and pounced on the football keeping possession with CM.

One play later, Sharp barreled into the end zone from seven yards out to put the hosts up 24-12 with 6:30 to play.

The Knights then dealt the final blow. Johnson came up with an interception for the second time setting CM up at the 17-yard line. Moments later, Isaiah Simmons rushed home with a nine yard score to give Catholic Memorial a 31-12 edge with 3:53 remaining.

“Winning the Catholic Conference has been the standard here,” Johnson said. “It’s awesome to be part of a team like this because we all know what it takes. It’s past that though, and we are ready for Gillette.”

Catholic Memorial struck first on its opening drive with Sharp capping off an eight-play, 65-yard drive with a one yard touchdown run. BC High got on the board to start the second quarter on a one-yard touchdown run by Jackson Richard (19 carries, 118 yards, 2 touchdowns).

Dodd provided the Knights with an immediate answer, taking the handoff on the first play from scrimmage and going 75 yards untouched to put Catholic Memorial on top, 16-6.