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ATTLEBORO - For members of the Attleboro High School football team victorious in their Thanksgiving Day game since 1994, it was a little like star treatment.

Seniors were congratulated after the win by adult former players moved to tears over the rare victory over the North Attleboro Red Rocketeers. Head Coach Kevin Deschenes said team members are still getting congratulatory calls from members of the community, and three senior members were formally recognized by members of the school committee Monday.

"I don't think they fully understood what they did," said Deschenes, who added that the win over their traditional rival has been a focus for city pride. "It wasn't just for them, but for the community."

Senior quarterback Michael Barry said the win and the Bombardiers 9-2 season was a product of hard work and leadership.

"The coach talked about leaving a legacy," he said. Senior teammates Phil Elias and Nick Mazurkiewicz said they'll be savoring the win for a long time.

"To beat North as a senior is something I'll never forget," Mazurkiewicz said.

School Principal Jeff Newman said the Thanksgiving Day game was a model of sportsmanship between the two squads and their supporters, drawing a crowd of 3,000. There was only one problem.

"We had to re-educate a lot of people about who Hilda was," said Newman of the nickname for the trophy presented to each year's winner. It has resided in North Attleboro since the last AHS victory.

Deschenes said the victory was "probably the proudest moment for our coaches, not for us personally but for the kids. They exceeded all expectations."

Superintendent Pia Durkin joined in the praise, saying the seniors had made a pact as freshmen to reverse Attleboro's fortunes and beat their arch-nemesis.

"We're deeply proud of you," she said.