EP Townies lose Semi-Final Game to LaSalle 35-20. Thanksgiving Tradition in Jeopardy?

Townies score early and lead at the half.

The Townies, missing as many as 7 starters due to injuries, came out with a purpose and jumped on highly favored LaSalle for an early lead which lasted into the 3rd quarter in state Semi-Final playoff action at LaSalle on Friday night, November 20th. But in the end it was LaSalle's depth and experience which outlasted East Providence for a 35-20 win. The game was much closer than what the final score would indicate. The Townies won the coin toss and opted to defer possession to the second half. East Providence's defense held tough on the Rams first offensive series as LaSalle was forced to punt the ball away.

East Providence brought the large Townie contingent of fans to their feet immediately, when on their first play from scrimmage Townie quarterback Ryan Ellinwood hit Paulo Pereira with a 57 yard touchdown pass. After a successful point after kick by Tom Lopes the score was a quick 7-0 for East Providence.

"Yes, we got off to a great start and looked good for a while. But some turnovers and determination by LaSalle to hang in there was too much to overcome for us, along with our injury situation. Overall our kids played well," Townie coach Jay Monteiro would say after the game.

After stopping LaSalle again, EP fumbled the ball back to the Rams and Kyron Lopes evened the score with a two-yard rush for a score and the game was tied at 7. LaSalle then surprised the crowd and East Providence players with a successful on side kick and had the ball in Townie territory.

Both teams went back and forth and an Ellinwood interception slowed down the Townie movement. But the Townie defense continued to play well especially in light of LaSalle playing with a hurry-up no-huddle offense most of the game. An Ellinwood to Jayden Chase pass went for a 51 yard touchdown and Ellinwood ran in a touchdown on a goal line scamper. The Townies led at halftime 20-14.

After a good start, LaSalle started to pull away in the 3rd quarter when CJ Waite ran back a punt while zigzagging through the Townie defense for the score, giving the Rams the lead which they wouldn't relinquish. The final score was 35-20.

The Townies loss of some key players was felt throughout the contest. Senior running backs Tom Lopes and Justin Johnson along with senior Captain linebacker Aaron Amaral and Captain defensive lineman Tyler Benedetti were unable to play due to earlier injuries. "It could have made a difference, but others stepped up and played well and I'm proud of these kids," said coach Jay Monteiro.

"The heat was on in the stadium as the Townies fought to be ahead at the half and through most of the third quarter, and kept on fighting even when down and to the final whistle," said former Townie Athletic Director and Aaron's Dad, Paul Amaral.

East Providence High School assistant principal and former Martin Middle School Principal, Frank DeVall has been on the sideline coaching the Townies this season. "Thank you to the members of the Townie Football squad who left their hearts upon the field tonight against LaSalle. I'm proud to be associated with them and their coaches. Congrats on returning EP Football to the playoffs once again," said DeVall, a former Townie football player and now a coach, after the game.

David Stringfellow graduated from EPHS in 1970 and played for the Townies. He now lives in Texas and was following The Reporter's on line game updates. "Go EP, glad to see the pride is still there," he would write.

Thanksgiving Day classic may be over:

The longest standing Thanksgiving Day rivalry in Rhode Island may be over. In fact, it may be over as soon as next year. "Yes, I do think the game may not be played in the future," said LaSalle Athletic Director Ted Quigley before Friday's playoff game. "LaSalle may play some of their starters for a little while this Thanksgiving but not much after that," he said. "The league changed the format in 2014 to the playoff process and only two teams - East Providence and LaSalle voted against this change making Thanksgiving Day a non-league game," added Quigley. This year the turkey day game means nothing in the standings. Potential injuries will most likely keep either team from playing starters and regulars, especially super bowl-bound LaSalle. "And the crowd intensity just won't be there."

The RI Interscholastic League (RIIL) Principal’s Committee on Athletics voted to change the state football playoff format. "Beginning in 2014 all Thanksgiving Day “League games” must be played during the regular season. As a result, all semifinal games will be played on the Friday before Thanksgiving. The traditional Thanksgiving Day games will be played as in the past as “non- league” games. Divisional championship games will be played a minimum of seven days after Thanksgiving," said the league's full time director Tom Mezzanotte. The rivalry officially began in 1929. Although the two schools started turkey day play in 1927 (EP won 6-0), there was no game in 1928 and the league “started” in 1929 with a LaSalle 19-6 win. The 2015 EP-LaSalle game will be the 87th contest between the two Turkey Day rivals.

Playing three times potentially in one season doesn't make sense to a lot of people close to this tradition. The change especially effects East Providence and LaSalle who generally have a meaningful league game on Thanksgiving Day. "Through the years the EP-LaSalle game has had some impact on playoffs or division standings," said Quigley. "Even though EP has been down a bit recently, we know that won't last. They're playing well now and it won't be long before they're right back up I'm sure," said Quigley.

However, LaSalle did have an option to play Friday's game as a playoff game on Thanksgiving Day. LaSalle felt that with the game being East Providence's "home" year that they (LSA) wouldn't get the gate proceeds. Some EP officials were willing to play the game in Providence or to let LaSalle have the gate proceeds in order to keep the game on Thanksgiving, but LaSalle declined.

One EP official was hoping to keep the tradition going as a meaningful game on Thanksgiving Day. EPHS assistant principal Frank DeVall has seen many Thanksgiving Day games, as a player, coach and school administrator. "Why do we pay RIIL officials when they can't make a decision. LaSalle deserves the home game, no doubt, but play it on Thanksgiving in Providence, charge $10 per head so LSA can make money and maybe eliminate turning folks away at the gate. The winner would take all and the losers had a great season. Playing a third game is senseless. The RIIL has destroyed Thanksgiving for the sake of another playoff game. Give me back the days when Turkey Day and its games meant something again," bemoaned a disappointed DeVall.

"We tried to convince the league to keep Thanksgiving Day as a league game for us," said East Providence Athletic Director Bob Duarte. "Only East Providence and LaSalle disagreed with this format. The rest of the league's Athletic Directors approved. They don't have the tradition that we have. It could mean the end of the LaSalle-EP Thanksgiving Day game as we know it," said Duarte. "They could have made other arrangements," Duarte added. According to league officials, schools affected by this change are LaSalle Academy, East Providence High School, Cranston East High School, Cranston West High School, Scituate High School, North Smithfield High School, North Providence High School and Smithfield High School.

When the stand's at LaSalle's old football field were closed because of safety reasons in the early 80's, LaSalle would host home Thanksgiving games at various venues in Providence. Brown University and City Stadium behind Mount Pleasant High School were used a few times. But the cost and inconveniences caused LaSalle officials to keep all Thanksgiving games at Pierce Stadium. "It was cheaper for us to rent and a great field," said one LaSalle official.

Should the state not revisit the playoff change (there will be another re-alignment meeting for next year), Pierce may no longer host games on Thanksgiving Day. At least not any that have any divisional meaning. Pierce Memorial Stadium was built under the Works Progress Administration (WPA), a New Deal agency of the Federal Government during the 1930’s. Completed in November of 1939, the stadium cost $300,000. The field bears the name of one of East Providence's most prominent residents, W.B. Pierce who had bequeathed a trust fund to the town to save this land specifically for recreational use. On November 30, 1939 Pierce Memorial Stadium opened to the public in time for the traditional Thanksgiving Day football game between East Providence and La Salle Academy. The Townies won, 10 to 0.

The rivalry has cooled down in recent years as LaSalle has been on a roll while East Providence has been struggling. LaSalle now leads the series - overall - with 49 wins to the Townies 35 wins with two 0-0 ties. The series has often seen changing momentum swings. From 1929 through 1940 the series pretty much went back and forth between schools. LaSalle dominated the series from 1941 through 1948, winning a state title in 1942. A little back and forth again and then the Townies won from 1960 through 1967 and then again in ’69 and ’70 and ’72 and ’73. EP won state titles in ’66, ’67 and ’69 and ’70. LaSalle took over and won the 1974, ’75 and ’76 games while EP bounced back to win from 1977 through 1980 and then again from 1982 through 1984. It was an eight year run next for LaSalle as they beat EP from 1985 through 1992. LaSalle spanked EP in 1992 by a 50-6 score but EP returned the favor somewhat with a 41-6 victory the next year. And on it went, win one, lose one, until LaSalle regained dominance in the series.

Former LaSalle left halfback, Bud Cronin was 84 years old during an interview with The Reporter a few years ago. Cronin was a star running back for the Rams from 1943-45. He has vivid memories of this rivalry. “We were good my senior year. We won the state championship and went on to play in a national championship game in New Orleans. We were number one in the country.” Bud Cronin’s father was the legendary LaSalle icon, Jack Cronin. The senior Cronin played for Boston College and the former Steamrollers semi-pro football team. Cronin, Sr. was at LaSalle from 1931 to 1975. “I remember East Providence so well. They were a tough team to get by. We were bigger but we were always told by our coaches that the EP game would be very tough,” remembers the younger Cronin. “East Providence was well coached with Lou Farber. Always good defensively,” he added. “1945 was an extremely frigid game. We switched to sneakers from cleats and didn’t score until late in the game,” said Cronin. Cronin would score the first and what would be the winning touchdown that year in a 13-0 LaSalle win. “It’s nice to be remembered at 83 years old,” said Cronin at the time. “Happy Thanksgiving to all.”

East Providence former Co-Captain John Johnson is a 1967 graduate. He remembers his senior Thanksgiving game with great fondness. “We won 57-7 and won the state championship that year,” said an animated Johnson in a recent interview. EP also won the state title in 1966. “A lot of us would hang out at Kelly’s Burgers (Burger King today) on Friday nights across from the high school and talk football,” Johnson recalled. Most high schools played football games on Saturday mornings years ago. “We liked to think that we hated LaSalle,” continued Johnson, “but actually I felt lots of respect on both sides of the line.” Since graduation, Johnson and many other Townies and Ram fans meet annually at Bovi’s Tavern in EP early on Thanksgiving morning to meet briefly before going off to the big game. Bovi’s long time owner, John Bovi, is a LaSalle graduate and he and his family have operated his tavern for decades. Time will tell if the new Thanksgiving Day format will hurt Bovi's Thanksgiving Day early morning attendance.