SPORTS UPDATE

EPHS Beats Powerhouse Rams on Thanksgiving
The odds weren’t going to stop the Townies from taking down powerhouse La Salle on Thanksgiving Day.  It has been a while since EP won on Thanksgiving – 2017 to be exact.  Ep came close the last two years but the Rams were motivated to win coach Geoff Marcone’s last ever game as a La Salle coach.  “What a way to end the season with a win over La Salle on our home field on Thanksgiving Day,” said East Providence coach Jon Stringfellow after the game.  “We had a lot of players step up to make key plays when needed.  Honestly it was not one player that stood out, it was truly a team effort,” said the veteran football coach.

La Salle scored first on a 12-yard run by Charles Sayegh.  East Providence answered with a Lucas Santa Cruz 17-yard touchdown rush to tie the game.  However, the Rams took the lead on another Sayegh rush and then a pass play for a 20-7 lead.  The Townies fought back late in the first half and scored again after a Ram fumble allowed EP to score on a short run to make the halftime score 20-13.  A La Salle fumble early in the third quarter gave EP an opportunity and the Townies ate up clock time and eventually scored on a Jacop Duarte TD pass to Shadeen Lovett followed by a Lovett TD run on short yardage.  EP moved ahead 27-20 with less than a minute in the game.

La Salle wasn’t going down easily.  Especially with Coach Marcone’s last game.  QB Belford moved the Rams into Townie territory and then passed to Antonio Bearden for a touchdown bringing the Rams back to within one point at 27-26 with ten seconds left.  La Salle could have tied the game with a good point after kick but they went for the win with a two point conversion try.  East Providence’s defense led by Colin Roche made the goal line stand and stopped the Rams from scoring.  An ensuing LSA onside kick was fielded by the Townies who held on for the win.

“I am proud of the way the team played for the entire game,” said an elated coach Stringfellow.  “They never got down on themselves, even when we were down 20 to 7 early in the game they continued to fight. Stopping the 2 point conversion with less than 20 seconds on the clock created a memory that will last a lifetime,” he added.  The game was the first Thanksgiving Day game held at the new EPHS football stadium. “In spite of the weather, Townie Pride came out to support the team today and continues to shine bright,” said Stringfellow.

Some Player Reflections
COLIN ROCHE, Senior: “It was a great team win, everybody contributed, on both sides of the ball. We heard a lot of talk about this game not really meaning much to either team, but it meant a lot to our team, especially the seniors who have worked so hard these past 4 years together.  We knew La Salle coming in were looking to send their coach off with a win in his final game, but we wanted to do everything we could to spoil that, we knew they didn’t want to go into overtime at the end and they wanted to just go for the win and they would run it right down middle and try to smash it in.  We said in the defensive huddle that we just had to crowd the middle and go as hard as we could and everybody did a great job pushing back so the linebackers could make stop. It was probably the best feeling I’ve had on a field so far.  It was cold and rainy, and there wasn’t much of a crowd, but the people that mattered were there cheering us on and we were able to get the win on our final game on the EP field.

It was a true up and down season and after starting out 0-2 I knew I had to trade my #34 in and volunteer to play offensive line to give my team a better chance on offense to move the ball and help the defense rest more. I felt it was my job as captain to step up.  We went 5-1 after that and won our first playoff game at home in a really long time and we made a great effort against SK in the Quarterfinal game we just came up short.  But I’ll take a 7-4 record with a playoff and turkey day win to end my career here as a Townie for sure.

I want to thank Coach String and all my coaches for what they have done for me these past 4 years.  I think having the same coaching really helped all of us get better and we’ve become so close to them that I know they are trying to build a winning culture here and get back to a competitive D1 program.  Luckily, I do plan on continuing my football career in college.  I have a few college offers currently and I may have more, but the options I have so far are to great schools and great football programs and I have my parents and coaches to thank for their constant support in helping me play at the next level.  I’d like to make an official commitment to a school before the New Year so I can focus on the rest of my senior year, basketball and my final baseball season where I know we will be playing for a D1 title.”

JACOB DUARTE, Junior: “It feels good getting the win after coming close the past 2 years and winning after 8 years. We controlled the ball very well and didn’t make many mistakes on Thanksgiving. The team wanted the win bad especially because it was the senior’s last game.  Students today don’t understand the EP and LaSalle rivalry and how far back it goes. Before, the stands used to be packed now students consider it just a normal game.  I am proud of this team, the coaches and everyone who supported us.  I’m already looking forward to next year!”

Parents of several players were complimentary of EPHS and the coaches.  The Reporter talked with two of them:

Jacob Duarte is the team’s junior quarterback and expects to be a key player in RI football next year.  His Mom, Sara Duarte is a teacher at EPHS and played sports when she attended EP.  “I’m so proud of them and the season they had.  Thanksgiving against Lasalle was cold and wet but the boys played hard! A great game.  I’m sad to see the season come to an end but glad we ended it on an exciting win. We are really going to miss this senior group.”

“We are beyond proud of Colin and the EP Townies for what they accomplished this year,” said Kevin & Erin Roche.  The coaches did so much for the boys both on and off the field, bringing them together this year.  The overnight camp they went to, the team dinners, the Boots on the ground events, all helped the boys bond off the field.  Colin was the first freshman class at the new school and was able to play 3 years on the new field and finish there on Thanksgiving in front of his family and friends.  We really could not have asked for anything else.  We are both so thankful to Coach Stringfellow, his staff, Mr. Butler and Mr. Black for all their support this year.”

On Wednesday before the Thanksgiving game, Tyler DiCecco and Colin Roche of the Townies delivered a gift to Stephanie Vinhateiro of the Friends of Townie Athletics.  “It was such a nice gesture,” said Vinhateiro.  “I had both boys when teaching at Francis Elementary.  They are great boys and very thoughtful.”

 Townie Football Coaches Have Great Tradition

Lou Farber Famous in Two States
Few current East Providence High School student athletes probably remember one of the school’s early football coaches who became one of the nation’s best.  Lou Farber spanned a career of over 50 years coaching high school football.  After a year at Moses Brown, he entered Brown, captained the freshman football team, and moved on to a brilliant varsity career as a defensive guard and offensive tackle.  Passing up a pro career with the Frankfort (Pa.) Yellowjackets of the NFL, Farber went into high school teaching and coaching, becoming head coach at East Providence High in 1935. In 15 seasons, Farber compiled a 80-45-10 record including three state championships.  Before teaching business and coaching at EP, Farber graduated from Brown University where he played guard and was a member of Brown’s famous 1926 “Iron Men” football squad.  The Brown Iron Men became widely popular on the national level.  Farber and his Brown teammates were undefeated that year.  After a legendary career at EPHS, Farber and family moved to Arizona for health reasons.  Farber taught and coached football soon after arriving in Arizona.  He became the first head coach at Pueblo High School when it opened in 1956.  Farber was soon known as a national innovator and was a consultant for programs on all levels.  Coaching Pueblo teams with limited talent, he won several state titles.  He only experienced one losing season in 17 years of coaching in Arizona.  The stadium at Pueblo High School is named Lou Farber Stadium.  Farber is an inductee of the Halls of Fame at Brown, Arizona and EPHS.  His Townie Pride traveled well.

Other coaches before Lou Farber were Wally Johnson in the early 1900’s, Bertrand Shurtleff and Vahe Johnson.  All great teacher/coaches at EPHS.  Shurtleff coached EP around 1933 and is a Brown grad and in their Hall of Fame.  He wrestled four years at Brown and won honors in 1920 as collegiate light heavyweight champion. He was also one of Brown’s finest football players.  Shurtleff played professional football for several teams, including the Providence Steamrollers.  He also was a writer and novelist.  

After the legendary Lou Farber moved to Arizona, the level of grid iron Townie coaches stayed high.  Following Farber was Jim Deffley.  Deffley left teaching and then coached at La Salle (the horrors)! Deffley taught at EPHS and was a tough, winning coach in EP.  Next up was Bill Stringfellow known as “Beansy.”  String continued Townie winning ways and tradition and became an iconic coaching and Athletic Director figure and East Providence’s first recreation director for years.  He taught at Central Junior High and then EPHS. Following String was Steve Silva a former player and father of All Staters Steve & Jamie Silva.  Next was John “Sandy” Gorham, a former player who became the Townies winningest football coach.  Gorham most likely has won more state titles than any coach in Rhode Island as well.  He also coached winning teams in swimming and softball.  Gorham would win also state titles in Barrington once he retired from EP.  Next up was Townie teacher Jay Monteiro.  Monteiro would deal with a changing landscape as recruiting was taking its toll on many public-school programs.  Yet, he would keep EP competitive and continue the tradition.  He was also a successful coach at Bryant University.  As Monteiro retired from coaching EP, the reigns returned to a Stringfellow.  Jon Stringfellow, a former Townie all-state player, had been an assistant coach at EPHS and also at Hendricken.  He returned to be head coach at his alma mater and continues the Stringfellow football legacy.  The Townies are playing well these days and finished one game short of playing for the D2 state championship last month.  For most alumni, the highlight this year was the East Providence hard fought win over La Salle on Thanksgiving Day.  A defensive goal line stand by EP stopped the Rams and turkey dinners throughout EP tasted good for a change!  From Wally Johnson through Jon Stringfellow, EPHS football coaches represent Townie Pride at its best.

Townies lose Quarterfinal Game to Eventual D2 Champion S. Kingstown
East Providence football lost its semifinal clash last month with top seed South Kingstown 31-19 in a game that was closer than the score would indicate.  Early on the Townies effort looked promising as the EP defense was containing the Rebels offense. However, an offside penalty on a third down play gave SK a first down and the Rebels took advantage as they continued to move the ball well and scored early on a broken tackle 57 yard TD run. Another TD 10-yard run and then a field goal gave the Rebels a 17-0 halftime lead.

East Providence would show signs of fighting back but after bringing the score back to 31-19, a couple of interceptions would stymie the Townies comeback chance. Townie QB Jacob Duarte gave it his best with a few key passes that gave EP a chance to get back in the game but in the end the top seed South Kingstown Rebels, now 8-1, moved to the championship game which they would win against West Warwick.  The Townies finished with 6 wins on the season.

Townies lose in D1 Semifinal Volleyball Playoff
The EPHS girls volleyball team lost a close semifinal match against top seed Portsmouth High last month.  The Townies are the defending D2 state campion and moved back to D1 play this year.  In their first year back in the top division, the Townies made it to the top level of play and made a good showing.  The Townies lost in the 5 game set to Portsmouth, 3 games to 2.  “It really was a productive season for our team which is very young,” said head coach Alex Butler.  “My players gave it all they had and worked hard.  We will do well back in Division One,” added Butler.    

The East Providence girls' volleyball team suffered a heartbreaking five-set loss to Portsmouth 3-2 (25-21, 20-25, 17-25, 25-21, 15-13) during the Division 1 semifinals at Rhode Island College on Tuesday night.

“We fought our hardest and that's all we could do,” said senior middle hitter Trinity Johnson-Carter. “There are a lot of emotions. It was a great season.”  The Townies finished 14-5 after a 7-0 run to start the season.

EPHS Varsity Cheer Team Recognized
The EPHS varsity cheer team had members selected for awards by the Cheer Coaches Association.  Carter Bessette was selected as first team All State.  Evelyn Pacheco was second team All State and Arianna Barlow made third team All State.  Being selected All Division First Team was Avery Bastanzi, Sariah Jamiel second team and Jojo Marlow third team.  “The cheer team had a great fall campaign and supported all teams on their Senior night,” said AD Alex Butler.

EPHS Tennis Player All State
Townie tennis player Abigail Ellison was selected to the RI Tennis Coaches Association 1^st team All State.  “Congratulations to Abigail Ellison for winning the RI Division II Singles Tournament and all state honors.  Townies have known that she’s the best already, but now it’s official,”  said Head Coach Slade Sharma.  “Abigail has made history by being the first East Providence tennis player to win the Division II singles tournament.  Her team, coaches, and parents are beyond proud of her,” added Sharma.

EPHS Girls Soccer
Townie girls soccer players Amalia Amico and Kloey Iacavone were D2 first team All State selections.  Kat Almeida was a first team all D2 while Ava Soares and Alyssa Karalekas were second team All D2.  Eva Fontaine made third team All D2.  The soccer team had a great season and made the playoffs for the first time in three years.

EPHS Boys Soccer
For the boys team, Sam Jackson was selected first team D1 All State, Tristen Nunes second team All Division 1.  Eddy Barbosa was third team All D1.

Girls Volleyball
Keira Mullen was selected as first team D1 All State, first team All Division and the Division 1 Player of the Year.  Ellie Vest was second team All State, second team All Division and Trinity Johnson was honorable mention for D1.

RI Volleyball Coach of the Year!
The RIIL selected Alex Butler for the RIIL State Coach of the Year Award for his accomplishments during the season, recognizing the professionalism he demonstrates daily. Coach Butler will be highlighted on the RIIL’s website and social media, and a formal celebration will take place at the Basketball Championships in March 2025. Butler is also the East Providence Athletic Director.