March 28, 2024

Sports Update

Posted

Riverside LL Challengers Playing at World Series
As reported here previously, Riverside, Little League played against Freehold Township Little League, NJ in Challenger Division action on August 26th. The two teams participated in the 2017 Little League Challenger Division® Exhibition Game, which was held during the 2017 Little League Baseball® World Series in Williamsport, Pa.

“The Challenger Division Exhibition Game is one of the highlight events held each year during Championship Weekend at the Little League Baseball World Series and we are excited to welcome these two programs to participate this year,” said Stephen D. Keener, Little League President and CEO. “We are looking forward to the opportunity to share this exciting day with all of the coaches, players, buddies, parents, and volunteers of each of the programs and hope they have a chance to enjoy their Little League World Series experience.”

Established in 2008, the Riverside Little League Challenger Division has served as a program for youth with intellectual and physical challenges to enjoy the full benefits of participating in an athletic environment, structured to their abilities. During the course of the program’s nearly 10 years of existence, Riverside Little League Challenger Division has offered therapeutic and socialization benefits of participating in sports, athletic interaction with the children’s peers, the strengthening of the participants self-esteem, the opportunities to mainstream into other divisions of play, the disciplines of teamwork, sportsmanship, and fair play, and the opportunity to enable players to maximize their potential and abilities.

“I am very proud that the Riverside Little League Challenger Division Team was invited to play in the annual challenger division exhibition game at the Little League World Series. It is an honor for the Riverside Little League to be selected to participate in this game,” said Tim Conley, Riverside Little League Challenger Division Vice President.

“It is a once in a lifetime opportunity for our players to participate in this exhibition game in Williamsport, PA - home of the Little League World Series. Riverside Little League is very proud of its support of the Challenger Division and to have the opportunity to participate in this event is a landmark event for our league, Board of Directors, players, volunteers, and parents," said Conley.

School Sports to Start
School Sports will be starting up in earnest during September. The Reporter will bring you updates here and at ReporterToday.com. To see more complete coverage for your public/private school or club, please email: bobrodericks@gmail.com. Fall Teams Consist of:

Cross Country:
Boys Varsity Cross Country, Boys/Girls Martin MS Cross Country, Boys/Girls Riverside MS Cross Country, Boys-Girls Martin MS Cross Country, Boys-Girls Riverside MS Cross Country, Girls Varsity Cross Country

Football:
Boys Freshman Football, Boys Junior Varsity Football, Boys Varsity Football, Football Cheerleading, Girls Varsity Football Cheerleading

Soccer:
Boys Junior Varsity Soccer, Boys Martin MS Soccer, Boys Riverside MS Soccer, Boys Varsity Soccer, Girls Junior Varsity Soccer, Girls Martin MS Soccer, Girls Riverside MS Soccer, Girls Varsity Soccer

Tennis:
Girls Varsity Tennis

Volleyball:
Boys Junior Varsity Volleyball, Girls Junior Varsity Volleyball, Girls Varsity Volleyball

Brief History of RI Football
Prior to the 1932-33 formation of the current Rhode Island Interscholastic League schools played an independent schedule against other amateur teams. In some years the media voted on the "state champion" at season's end, while in others championship finals were staged. An eight team Rhode Island high school league named the Rhode Island Interscholastic Athletic League was formed in 1918 (RIHS Sports):

Cranston (now Cranston East), East Providence, Hope, Rogers, South Kingstown and West Warwick. In 1928 the Rhode Island Interscholastic Athletic Conference was formed with 14 schools: Barrington, Colt Memorial (now half of Mt. Hope), Burrillville, Central Falls, Cumberland, La Salle, Mount St. Charles, Pawtucket (now Tolman), Providence Tech (now Central), St. Raphael, Warren (now half of Mt. Hope), Warwick, Westerly and Woonsocket.

Townie Football still tied for Most Super Bowl Wins in State
East Providence is tied with LaSalle with 15 state championships each. Hendricken is moving up the ladder fast with 13 state titles. The Townies and Hawks played each other 4 times for the state championship from 1995 through 2006. East Providence won 3 of the 4 games becoming SuperBowl champs. EP versus Hendricken from 1995-2006: Hendricken beat East Providence 26-12 in 1995; EP Beat Hendricken 26-0 in 1997; EP beat Hendricken 12-6 in OT in 1999 and the Townies beat the Hawks again 35-13 in 2006.

EPHS QB Brian Amaral 1998 Grad Update
In the Reporter continuing series of checking in on former Townies, we profile EPHS 1998 graduate and all-state quarterback Brian Amaral. Although the term 'former Townie' is a misnomer as once a Townie always a Townie is more accurate. In the late 90's East Providence football remained a dominant football team. East Providence High has won 15 football state titles, tied for the most in Rhode Island. Hendricken has come on strong lately and now has 13 state titles. The EP-Hendricken series was intense during Brian Amaral's years at EP. The Townies and Hawks played each other 4 times for the state championship from 1995 through 2006. East Providence won 3 of the 4 games claiming the title. Two of those Townie wins were engineered by QB Brian Amaral. Ep won the 1997 super bowl easily over the Hawks by a 26-0 score. EP also won the 1999 super bowl in a 12-6 thrilling overtime win. In both those games, Amaral was dominant. He was the best quarterback in Rhode Island and had a lot of help with players like Justin Rocha and John Carnevale. After Amaral had graduated, EP beat the Hawks once more, in 2006 in a 35-13 super bowl win. Read the full story elsewhere in this issue.

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