TEWKSBURY — Underneath a rivalry coated with passion and an everlasting competitive edge lies something that perhaps will outlive the wins and losses.

While Tewksbury ran away with a 41-0 blanking over Wilmington in the 90th edition of the historic clash on Thanksgiving, even a decisive victory won’t dissipate the utmost respect between the two towns separated by Silver Lake.

While the Redmen were presented with the Turkey Day trophy for the 14th consecutive year, improving their all-time record in the matchup to 55-27-8, head coach Brian Aylward made a pit stop at the Wilmington huddle. Representing your town transcends any box score.

“It’s about the kids who are willing to step up and fight for their town,” said Aylward. “Those kids deserve an awful lot of credit. They’re the ones who step up for their town and wear their town on their chest, and I just wanted to tell them that I appreciate that. They fought hard out there today.”

The feeling was mutual between both sides on Thursday.

“It’s important,” said Wilmington head coach Craig Turner. “It’s important to them and it’s important to us. It means a lot to both communities. What he said to our kids, I couldn’t echo anymore. I feel the exact same way.”

And Turner’s Wildcats certainly put forth a valiant effort, forcing the hosts at Doucette Stadium to overcome an initial jolt from their rivals to keep the streak alive. Tewksbury had no trouble opening the scoring just under three minutes into action as Manny Mengata (six carries, 71 yards) found the end zone on a three-yard jaunt to take a 7-0 lead following a successful extra point from Jackson Fuedo.

But Wilmington wouldn’t succumb to the early momentum — not on Thanksgiving. Despite punting on the ensuing drive, the Wilmington defense made a statement on Tewksbury’s subsequent attempt. Luke DeProfio sacked Vincent Ciancio for a loss of 28 yards before the ‘Cats stood strong on a fourth down try from the Redmen.

Wilmington then pieced together a lengthy drive that leaked into the second quarter, extending the stanza on a 10-yard connection from Mark Holleran to Pasquale DeLucia. Wilmington ultimately turned the ball over on downs. Holleran (7-for-17, 66 passing yards) is only a sophomore and has a bright future for the ‘Cats.

“He’s only going to get better,” said Turner. “He’s got a lot of talent, and in his second year of varsity football, everything is going to slow down for him. We’ve got high expectations for him, and he puts in a lot of work.”

From there, Tewksbury didn’t leave its Thanksgiving dominance to chance. Ciancio ignited that effort, breaking free from the pocket for a 26-yard trek into the end zone. The signal-caller trucked through a gauntlet of defenders before pushing himself over the goal line to double the Redmen lead to 14-0.

Still, the stingy Wilmington defense didn’t cave. A sack by Kyle Gabaree late in the first half poked the ball free before Kenny Branley recovered the fumble to provide the Wildcat offense with another bid. However, a Joe Barletta sack on the redemption drive ended the threat, opening the door for Ben Christopher to net a 14-yard touchdown run with five seconds left in the half to enter the break with a 21-0 cushion.

A Jason Lavoie interception to open the half was the catalyst for another Redmen score. Mengata’s 20-yard sprint was good for his second touchdown of the morning and a 27-0 lead with 5:25 to play in the third. Tewksbury’s Lincoln Crane hauled in another interception before the conclusion of the quarter.

A 76-yard touchdown run from Olu (six carries, 138 yards) followed by a strike from Lavoie put the finishing touches on yet another Turkey Day victory for the Redmen.