Thanksgiving Tradition Change for EP-LaSalle Rivalry

"This atmosphere is great! Our band is awesome and the kids in school today felt positive about tonight's game," said Wallace. Win or lose, we just want a competitive good effort," added Wallace.”

"This atmosphere is great! Our band is awesome and the kids in school today felt positive about tonight's game," said Wallace. Win or lose, we just want a competitive good effort," added Wallace.

For the first time in the 86 year storied history of the East Providence - LaSalle rivalry, the two teams didn't play before Thanksgiving. East Providence played LaSalle at Pierce Stadium on October 10th, 2014. Before the game, long time observers didn't know what to expect regarding fan attendance. Would devotees of both schools plan on attending the October 10th game as well as Thanksgiving Day? As it turned out, Townie fans turned out in big numbers. The East Providence side of Pierce Stadium was practically filled with just a small area at the far end of the south end zone empty. "It was a near Thanksgiving Day crowd," mused Pierce Field Manager Joe Medeiros as he surveyed the crowd. On the visitor's side the LaSalle fan attendance was much smaller. The small turnout of Ram fans may have been due to their feeling of confidence as they are having a strong year while the Townies are struggling. However, after the game, LaSalle's quarterback and EP resident Jace Pena said "Don't underestimate those guys over there," Pena said pointing to the dejected Townie sideline. Pena noted how he knows and has previously played football with many of the EP players before. "I love those guys, they're like my brothers. They are a very tough team and will get better. I wish them well," said Pena.

Pena and his Ram team mates did indeed face a tough Townie football team. EP received the opening kickoff and after one series had to punt the ball away. LaSalle tried to make an impact early by running a no-huddle offense. The Rams were stopped for no gain a couple of times but their strong running game eventually led to a Ram score on a one yard run by Brian Lopes. Things didn't look encouraging for EP on their next series as they fumbled on their own 20 yard line, recovered by the Rams. After an ineligible receiver penalty against the Rams, the Townies Paulo Perreira intercepted a Pena pass and returned the ball to midfield. EP failed to score and punted again. LaSalle suffered two penalties including a delay of game call and was face with a 3rd and 15. The Townies came up big on defense as EP's Jayden Chase stopped LaSalle for a loss on the play forcing a Ram punt. That brought the first quarter to an end with LaSalle leading 7-0.

The Townies Aaron Amaral moved EP with a first down run followed by a Justin Johnson scamper to the Ram 10 yard line for another Townie first down. A Ryan Ellinwood pass to Tyler Lockard in the end zone was just missed and EP attempted a 30 yard field goal. Resendes kick was good but a LaSalle penalty for roughing the kicker gave EP the ball back while the 3 points were taken down. Trystan Casey tried to run the ball in for a score just missing and EP faced a third and goal. On the next play Townie QB Ryan Ellinwood - who played well all night - through a touchdown pass to Aaron Amaral and EP was on the board. The point after kick was blocked by the Rams however and EP now trailed 7-6. With 7:06 left in the first half the Rams were on the move. A holding penalty slowed the Rams and a Ram fumble was recovered by LaSalle forcing a 3rd and 15. A long Pena pass was incomplete and the Rams were forced to punt. The LaSalle defense got tough but with about 4 minutes to halftime a Collinwood pass was incomplete on a 3rd and 11 play but LaSalle was flagged with a flagrant hit to the receiver's head. The play gave EP a 1st and 10 at the Ram 31 yard line. On a 2nd and 10 run, Jaevin Milhouse had a short gain followed by another short run by Trystan Casey bringing up a 4th and 2 for EP. Justin Johnson ran an Ellinwood pitch for a 1st down. Next a sweep option 16 yard pass to Lockard was good for a Townie 1st down on the Ram 6 yard line. LaSalle, looking a bit harried, called a timeout but soon after another Ellinwood pass to Lockard was good for a Townie touchdown to an eruption of applause from the large Townie crowd. The point after kick was good and EP held off LaSalle for 53 seconds to go to halftime with a surprising 13-7 lead. Running off the field, Townie head coach Jay Monteiro said he would tell his team to "keep plugging hard, keep playing aggressive."

During the usual spirited halftime show put on by the Townie Marching Band, flag corps and cheerleaders, EPHS assistant principal Shani Wallace visited with students in the stands. "This atmosphere is great! Our band is awesome and the kids in school today felt positive about tonight's game," said Wallace. Win or lose, we just want a competitive good effort," added Wallace. "I don't know what it means for Thanksgiving," she said.

While EP had some positive gains in the 2nd half, the Townies would fail to score. LaSalle seemed to go back to a strong running attack led by Brian Lopes. Again they often showed a no huddle offense. An EP punt was blocked and the stronger Rams capitalized on some Townie mistakes. "That hurt us too much," Monteiro would say after the game. Finally a 49 yard touchdown run by the Ram's Lopes would put away the pesky Townies by the 28-13 final score. The Ram's remain undefeated while East Providence drops to 1-4 on the season. "Our missed tackles and other mistakes hurt. We let them off the hook, we're just not used to winning yet," added Monteiro after the game. "But we'll keep at it again in practice this week."

The Townie and Rams will play again on Thanksgiving morning but the game will mean absolutely nothing in league standings. Last January the RI Interscholastic League Principal’s Committee on Athletics voted to change the state football playoff format. "Beginning in the fall (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. Mezzanotte has also been recently appointed president of the National Federation of State High School Associations for 2014-15.

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.

The new format is aimed at player safety in the league's eyes. There can be 3 games in 10 days around Thanksgiving with playoffs. "During the regular and post football season no football player is allowed to participate in more than 90 minutes of full contact during the week," said the league statement. "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 East Providence Athletic Director, Bob Duarte. "They could have made other arrangements," Duarte added. The state's longest standing rivalry on Thanksgiving 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. Unlike many of the other high school Thanksgiving Day rivalries in Rhode Island, the EP-LaSalle game often had direct impact on the state championship playoff system.

The rivalry has cooled down in recent years as LaSalle has been on a roll while East Providence has been struggling. There are eight (8) East Providence residents playing for the Maroon, including their starting quarterback. A former Townie all-stater and legend, Steve Silva, Jr. is on the LaSalle sidelines as a Ram coach. This year the Townies have a new head coach in former Townie Jay Monteiro. LaSalle now leads the series - overall - with 48 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 with wins from 2007 through last year.

So how will the fans take to this new system? Time will tell. The score on Thanksgiving Day means nothing anymore - only to the diehard rivalry fans. Many fans already believe that LaSalle will rest their starters this Thanksgiving and "save" them for the playoffs. Some have even guessed that the two teams may soon no longer play each other on Thanksgiving. For generations of Townie fans, the traditional turkey dinner may never taste the same.

Some Traditions Remain!

Other East Providence Thanksgiving traditions will remain strong. Thanksgiving weekend is usually a reunion time as many Townie graduates from years past gather at Bovi's Tavern and other places to reminisce. Often times LaSalle grads will join with EP grads at Bovis on Thanksgiving morning before the (once) big game and on Friday and Saturday nights. Owner John Bovi is a LSA grad and good naturedly welcomes alumni from both schools. The Wednesday before Thanksgiving is a big party day and evening for many throughout the city.

This year marks the 4th consecutive year the Friends of Kent Field gathering will take place at Bovi's Town Tavern. The reunion, of-sorts, is on Thanksgiving Friday, November 28th at 7 PM. "This gathering is dedicated to all the people who enjoyed spending time at Kent Field on Clyde Avenue in East Providence during the late 60's and early 1970's. Whether you came to the field to play sports, games, enjoy after hour events or all of the above, you are invited to attend this gathering of good friends and classmates," says the Kent Field Friends face book page. The event was the idea of James Vierra and other "kids of the 60's & 70's". The new Turkey Day football change will certainly be discussed over a "soft" drink or two.