Turkey Bowl 2016

TURKEY BOWL

2016 WARWICK BEACON & CRANSTON HERALD

inside: features - previews - team pages - and more...

TURKEY BOWL

November 2016

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To rivalries new and old On one side, you have Cranston East and Cranston West. The age-old rivals have been meeting every year for the past five decades with the series nearly even. East holds a slim 22-21 advantage, and each squad has had its spurts of greatness.

On the other side, you have Toll Gate and Pilgrim. This rivalry has taken a back seat to Warwick Vets/Pilgrim over the past several years, but now it has been ushered to the forefront. The Titans and Pats, hailing from Warwick’s only remaining public schools, will create a new Thanksgiving tradition.

The common ground between both rivalries? The importance of winning. East went 6-1 and finished tied for the lead in Division I-B, while West finished strong despite its 2-5 league record. Toll Gate and Pilgrim suffered disappointing campaigns with matching 1-6 postings.

That doesn’t matter. On Thursday, these records are wiped away and these teams take to the turf with which they are so familiar to finish the year as strong as they possibly can.

Bragging rights are on the line in both cities. Each team has its strengths and its weaknesses. Whether it is the classic showdown between East and West, or the inaugural meeting between Pilgrim and Toll Gate that will set up a fresh yearly event for decades to come, these should be two hard-fought games.

We hope you enjoy the coverage and the action. Happy Thanksgiving from our families to yours.

- Matt Metcalf and Jacob Marrocco

CONTENTS 4. CRANSTON EAST FEATURE 5. CRANSTON WEST FEATURE 6. CRANSTON EAST TEAM PAGE 7. CRANSTON WEST TEAM PAGE 8. EAST/WEST PREVIEW 9. PILGRIM/TOLL GATE PREVIEW 10. PILGRIM FEATURE 11. TOLL GATE FEATURE 12. TOLL GATE TEAM PAGE 13. PILGRIM TEAM PAGE 14. LAST THANKSGIVING 15. ALL-TIME RECORDS

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With Matt Metcalf and Jacob Marrocco warwickonline.com cranstononline.com

Thanksgiving edition online Tuesday, Nov. 22, with breakdowns and previews of both local games.

Mayor Scott Avedisian and the

City of Warwick Parks and Recreation Department would like to wish our High School athletes a safe, fun and successful season.

TURKEY BOWL

Tune in to the Beacon Blitz Podcast

November 2016

WE’RE TALKIN’ TURKEY (AND FOOTBALL)

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TURKEY BOWL CRANSTON EAST

Bast has been key to East s rebound season If Cranston East was going to rebound from its underwhelming 2-6 campaign in 2015, it would need the help of its 6-foot3, 255-pound linebacker/tight end to do it.

Jay Bast, one of the ’Bolts’ captains this season, was always a point of emphasis on the turf. He had potential to tear through the offensive line and disrupt the quarterback, and also tried his hand at some direct snaps on the other side of the ball. It seemed that no matter what unit was on the field, Bast was in for the play.

“It was a big turnaround because last year, we were counted out big time,” Bast, who also handled punting duties, said.

“We weren’t really one of the top schools, but we could’ve been. Bad year, bad for everyone. This year was a big turnaround for the program, and it showed what Coach Centore is capable of coachingwise.”

Despite his terrorizing nature on the field, Bast said the biggest adjustment he made during the offseason was to his leadership skills.

“As a leader, I worked on chemistry with my team, trying to get everybody closer,” Bast said. “Trying to be all on the same page. Last year, I was a leader, but I wasn’t as much a leader as the seniors because this was their team. I wanted everyone to be on the same page.”

“He’s been a good leader, he’s a quiet leader, but he does it with more of his ac-

tions than his words,” East head coach Tom Centore said. “That’s the type of player he is. He’s been terrific, four years, when he was a freshman we said this kid’s going to be a player. Really been a good leader for us.”

Bast is most notorious for his punishing hits at the linebacker position, but the offense featured him more this year. He ran routes as a tight end and even took wildcat snaps as running back to confuse the defense.

It may have even evolved into his preference now.

“I kind of like it better than defense,” Bast said with a laugh. “The speed, I have to get up on that, but it’s fun hitting people with the ball.”

East’s postseason came to an end last Friday with a 35-22 defeat at the hands of Portsmouth in the Division I quarterfinals, but the work isn’t done yet. The ’Bolts have a date with rival Cranston West on Thanksgiving, hoping to start a new winning streak after being stunned, 43-21, last season.

Bast said that East hasn’t forgotten the lopsided defeat.

“We’re going to win, we’re going to beat them,” Bast said with a smile. “Since my freshman year, it’s been that they talk more than us. People think we start first, but they talk a lot. Last year, they ran up the score on us. This year’s gonna be bad for them.”

Despite the playoff loss bringing a quick and stunning end to a promising 61 year for East, Bast said he wouldn’t mind concluding his career in green with

a decisive win over West.

“Definitely, it would be something to remember,” Bast said.

- Jacob Marrocco

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CRANSTON WEST

Cranston West is one of the youngest teams in Division I this season, boasting just 13 seniors to its roster.

With an inexperienced roster, every ounce of senior leadership is vital, and no senior has arguably been more influential on and off the field for the Falcons than running back/linebacker Mike O’Neill.

“Mike O’Neill is our defensive leader,” Cranston West head coach Steve Stoehr said. “Mike has been good for us this season. He’s one of a number of kids that have stepped up for us.”

The Falcons are winners of three of their last four games, and O’Neill is a big reason why.

He has made some key tackles and standout plays to help stifle opposing offenses. Over that four-game span, West has yielded just 32 points – A telling sign of how the defensive unit has progressed throughout the fall.

“We’ve been playing well and coming together,” O’Neill said of the defense. “At the beginning of the year, we weren’t that close, but towards the end of the year, we came together and started playing well.”

Much like junior Will Such, O’Neill has done a bit of everything for the Falcons this season.

In addition to providing leadership, O’Neill has helped to lead the charge on the defensive side of the ball, while also

making an impact as a physical runner on offense.

O’Neill was splitting carries with Such early in the season as Stoehr was looking for one of the two to emerge as the lead back.

However, an injury set O’Neill back a

bit.

“He actually lost the running back (job) to Will [Such] because he hurt his ribs and Will came in and ran so well,” Stoehr said.

Such took advantage of the opportunity, getting into the end zone against Hendricken before posting rushing touch-

downs of 50 and four yards against East Providence.

O’Neill would get his number called late in the season, though, when the roles reversed and Such was hampered by an injury.

The senior hasn’t let his chance go to waste, accounting for three of the Falcons’ seven touchdowns over the last two weeks, propelling his squad to wins over Central and Rogers.

“My role’s been increasing since the beginning of the season,” O’Neill said of his running back duties. “It’s been fun.”

After a rough start to the season, West has come on as of late. It will look for its third straight win today when it opposes East in the annual Thanksgiving game.

“We’ve been playing well,” O’Neill said. “I’m actually surprised, to be honest with you. Usually when you’re a losing team and it gets to the end of the season it gets worse, but we just came together.”

And, of course, O’Neill couldn’t picture a better way to end his high school football career than with a victory over rival East.

“East has been talking all year long about how much better they are than us,” O’Neill said. “It would be nice to shove it in their face and pull out the W.” - Matt Metcalf

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O’Neill providing stability on both sides of the ball

November 2016

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cranston east thunderbolts

TALKIN TURKEY

NATE SHERMAN SENIOR

RANDY DURAN SENIOR

FAVORITE THANKSGIVING FOOD? Stuffing.

FAVORITE THANKSGIVING FOOD? Turkey all the way.

YOUR BIGGEST FANTASY BUST? Adrian Peterson.

YOUR BIGGEST FANTASY BUST? Cam Newton.

PREDICTION? 63-0.

PREDICTION? 63-0.

COACH’S MOST OVERUSED SAYING? Block the gap.

BRENDAN LANIGAN SENIOR

COACH’S MOST OVERUSED SAYING? Block the gap.

FAVORITE THANKSGIVING FOOD? Fried turkey.

FAVORITE THANKSGIVING FOOD? Turkey.

YOUR BIGGEST FANTASY BUST? Keenan Allen, he got hurt.

YOUR BIGGEST FANTASY BUST? Joe Flacco.

PREDICTION? I’m thinking 70-0.

PREDICTION? 63-0.

COACH’S MOST OVERUSED SAYING? Hit the window, Randy, hit the window.

JACOB PALAZZO SENIOR

COACH’S MOST OVERUSED SAYING? Be careful what you say.

ROSTER 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 47

Marcos A. Barrero Jacob P. Palazzo Rashad A. Bryant KeSean M. Felix Jay J. Bast (Capt.)

Alijah S. Taylor Steve X. Alvarez Jovanny D. Cianci Joseph R. Lefort Justin A. Neary Robenson Antoine Quinn M. Lanigan Ryan P. Winn Randy M. Duran (Capt.)

Samuel D. Hanley Colin N. Parsons Joshua Richards Isaiah Hinds Jaireal L. Rodriguez Alejandro Martinez Nathan C. Kheng Leonardo Ovalles Samuel I. Villeda Kydale G. Spears Isaac A. Ortega Wesley Isom Malik T. Gavek (Capt.)

Jamari K. Cardoso-Mason Bryan M. Wasilewski Christopher J. Garcia Carlos D. Coste Ramon A. Rosario Joshua N. Hernandez Marcos Badia Yoann Guerrier Hector R. Duran Samuel Gaston Antonio J. Lucchetti JaHui Zeng Angel Henriquez Joseph E. Williams Nicholas C. Chea Gemalik Ramirez Alexander Reynoso

SR SR SR JR SR SR SR SR SR JR SO SO SR SR SR JR FR JR SR JR JR SR JR JR SO JR SR SO JR SR JR JR SR JR JR SO SO SO JR JR SO SO JR JR

48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90

John W. Samos SO Jacques O. Cherduville SO Anthony A. Migliaccio SO Sebastian Vidal SR Gary T. Shaw JR Victor M. Garcia JR David J. Giorgio SO Nathaniel Sherman (Capt.) SR Brendan Lanigan (Capt.) SR Anthony J. Laliberte JR Tyler Russell JR Harold Villaman JR Omar Reyes FR Jarrod C. Clowery FR Edwin D. Torres JR Zachary D. King JR Hector D. Martinez SO Dany Gomez JR Nicio M. Aponte-Andrade JR Alejandro Espinosa SO Tyler N. Rego SR Justin E. Forgue SO James J. Lemos JR Erik Mena SR Joshua Carr SR Brandon J. Figueiredo SR Abraham I. Otele SR Jose Sandoval JR Aaron Matos SR Dayshaun M. White SO Jay C. Cooke SO Richard R. Magnone SO Noel Cornelio JR Noel Tavarez SO John P. Sweet SO Nicholas R. Cardin JR Jorge Tavares SR Alexander O. Ramos SO Maclean C. Hanley SO Johnathan J. Loy SO

Head Coach: Tom Centore Assistants: Isaiah McDaniel, Ken Simone, Corey Capirchio, Joe Amado, Rafael Medina, Jason Salvatore

PLAYER TO WATCH Isaiah Hinds Junior WR Hinds has the potential to stretch the field and make acrobatic catches. Against Portsmouth, he caught a late, toe-tapping touchdown pass.

top fantasy performer Malik Gavek Senior RB Gavek torched the Central run defense for 173 yards on 25 carries and four touchdowns earlier this year.

RESULTS League Record: 6-1 Overall Record: 8-2 East 48, Ledyard 12 (Non-league) East 22, Narragansett 21 (Non-league) East 49, Tolman 6 East 46, Central 14 East 35, Cumberland 28 La Salle 56, East 18 East 43, Barrington 0 East 37, Rogers 0 East 42, East Providence 0 Portsmouth 35, East 22 (D-I Quarterfinal)

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 15 16 17 18 20 21 22 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 32 33 34 36 37 41 42 44 45 46 47 50 51 52

Evan Degaitas Shadlaire Pinthiere Steven J. Kidd Jeffrey Wardle Michael J. O’Neill Theodore L. Ruggieri Christopher Ohsberg Gianmarco Almarza Isaiah I. Cruz Nicholas J. Bordieri Nickolas J. Dionizio Bryan D. Arnold Nicholas J. Poulos Andrew A. Dumas Joshua E. Horowitz William R. Quattrocchi Matthew J. Carvalho Joshua Pereira Karim Jamous Mourad M. Taman Kenneth J. Alexander William T. Such Cooper S. Krusz Cameron D. Harris Nathaniel Sena Brandon R. Chapman Brandon A. Marsacci Mario M. Peretta Matthew R. Lombardi Edward J. McEnaney Dwayne J. Dodd Cameron L. Alves Garrett M. Jackman Dimitri J. Bradley Thomas A. Barbieri Andrew S. Spirito Noah T. Robert Luke J. Traversie Jake N. Cuddemi Payton A. Falcone Daniel G. Ormond

RESULTS League Record: 2-5 Overall Record: 4-6 Marshfield 47, West 7 (Non-league) Portsmouth 34, West 0 West 42, Johnston 20 (Non-league) South Kingstown 41, West 6 Bishop Hendricken 56, West 13 East Providence 24, West 14 West 14, Woonsocket 0 St. Ray’s 13, West 0 West 21, Central 12 West 28, Rogers 7 (Non-league)

SO SO SO JR SR SR SR SR SO SR JR SO JR JR JR SR FR SR SR SO SO JR SO JR FR SO SR JR SO FR SO FR FR JR SO JR FR JR FR FR FR

53 54 55 56 59 62 63 63 64 67 69 71 72 75 76 77 78 79 81 86 88 89

John A. Bergantonio Michael J. Pilozzi Dylan J. Damiani Jacob A. Tager Joseph A. Catelli Thomas A. Napolitano Robert Giarrusso Steven T. Grenier Evan L. Nicotra Matthew Beyer Vito L. Nardolillo Austin A. Serpa Sam H. Folco James C. Zabala Kevin L. Mitchell Kyle W. Hammond Timothy J. Dillon Jose Noboa Frank Cruz Andrew A. Dionizio Michael P. Croft JohnMichael Manzi

JR JR SO SO SO JR FR JR SO JR SR FR JR SR SR SR JR JR SO FR SR SO

Head Coach: Steve Stoehr Assistants: Justin Erickson, Rob Malo, Thomas Milewski, Richard Aitchison, Erik Baccari, Nick DeMarco

TALKIN TURKEY

PLAYER TO WATCH Mike O’Neill Senior RB/LB O’Neill has the potential to be a force on both sides of the ball, recording rushing touchdowns in multiple games to go along with playing lockdown defense.

TOM

FAVORITE THANKSGIVING FOOD? Turkey.

COACH’S MOST OVERUSED SAYING? It’s all mental.

COACH’S MOST OVERUSED SAYING? Up downs.

YOUR BIGGEST FANTASY BUST? Sammy Watkins.

YOUR BIGGEST FANTASY BUST? Todd Gurley.

NAPOLITANO PREDICTION

JUNIOR

TOP FANTASY PERFORMER Will Such Junior RB Such notched two rushing touchdowns of four and 50 yards for West against East Providence. Such accounted for all of West’s points.

FAVORITE THANKSGIVING FOOD? Mashed potatoes.

TIM DILLON JUNIOR

We’re going to come out with the win.

JEFFREY WARDLE JUNIOR

PREDICTION Coming out with a win, 21-7.

FAVORITE THANKSGIVING FOOD? Stuffing.

FAVORITE THANKSGIVING FOOD? Stuffing.

COACH’S MOST OVERUSED SAYING? Bow your neck.

COACH’S MOST OVERUSED SAYING? Get low.

YOUR BIGGEST FANTASY BUST? Todd Gurley.

PREDICTION We’re going to win.

MATT BEYER JUNIOR

YOUR BIGGEST FANTASY BUST? Andrew Luck.

PREDICTION We’re going to win.

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CRANSTON WEST FALCONS

ROSTER

November 2016

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TURKEY BOWL East vs. West, Thursday, 10 a.m., Cranston Stadium

West looking to tie all-time series against East Cranston East and Cranston West will meet on Thanksgiving for the 44th time on Thursday at 10 a.m. at Cranston Stadium as the Falcons will look to even the overall series at 22 games apiece.

The two teams finished the year at opposite ends of the standings, with the ’Bolts making it to the Division I quarterfinals with a record of 6-1 in Division I-B, while West finished in a tie for fifth in Division I-A with a record of 2-5.

However, records don’t matter when these two teams meet on Thanksgiving.

This is unquestionably the best rivalry in the state and it’s always unpredictable.

“They’re pretty good,” West head coach Steve Stoehr said of his team’s cross-town rival. “They have some good athletes. We’re just going to come out, try to bang with them and see what we can do.”

The ’Bolts will be taking the field for the first time since their quarterfinal loss to Portsmouth, 35-22, last Friday, but East head coach Tom Centore is confident that his team will be ready.

After all, it isn’t hard to get pumped up to play West.

“I think they’ll be fine,” Centore said.

“They know that we played a good football team and a special player in [Sean] Coyne. They’ll be ready to go. They never want to lose a Thanksgiving Day game. Last year was the first one we lost since 2011, so that was different for us. I

OUR PICK: EAST 28, WEST 27 think they’re definitely interested in finishing on a good note.”

East has been consistent the entire season, whereas West struggled to start the year, but has turned it on as of late, winning three of its last four games.

From the Falcons’ perspective, now is a good time to take on their rival with their confidence as high as it’s been all fall.

“If you talk to the kids, they’re always confident,” Stoehr said with a laugh.

“But, they’ve been playing better.”

East has taken notice of West’s play as of late as well.

“They’ve gotten better and beat a Central team that’s going to the semifinals,” Centore said about West’s recent success.

“We have to be ready for them. They’re a

young football team that’s gotten better, and they’re confident. You can’t replace confidence.”

After a tough 2015 season, East came back and emerged as one of the state’s best teams this year.

Other than a lopsided loss at La Salle, the ’Bolts ran the table in league play.

They got it done with balanced play, getting equal contributions from the offense and the defense.

Seniors Jay Bast and Malik Gavek were both dominant out of the backfield for East, making it difficult on opposing defenses with their contrasting running styles.

First-year starting quarterback Justin Neary has stepped in nicely and he’s uti-

lized wideouts Isaiah Hinds, Jake Palazzo and Robenson Antoine efficiently.

Bast and Gavek were also the leaders on the defensive side of the ball, with Bast making his presence felt with his size and physicality up front, while Gavek served as East’s lockdown corner.

“We were co-division champs with La Salle,” Centore said. “This season was a good experience for us and a lot of learning took place. It was a good comeback year for us. Hopefully it will continue to trend.”

West has been led by junior Will Such and senior Mike O’Neill, who have both served as running backs on offense and linebackers on defense. Such and O’Neill have punished opposing defenses at times with their physical running styles, and they have also helped the defense stifle opponents in the late stages of the season.

They will certainly be two players to watch, as will Cam Harris at quarterback.

After Nick Dionizio suffered a seasonending injury in West’s first league game, Harris came in and has filled in admirably.

Ultimately, it should be an extremely competitive game with both East and West playing well coming in.

The Falcons will be looking to win back-to-back Thanksgiving games for the first time since the 2004 and 2005 seasons.

- M.M.

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Pilgrim vs. Toll Gate, Thursday, 10 a.m., Warwick Vets

Out with the old and in with the new.

After 53 meetings with Warwick Vets that spanned six decades, Pilgrim has a new rival not too far from home.

The Pats will clash with Toll Gate at Warwick Vets on Thursday morning at 10 a.m., ushering in a new era for both sides after the closure of Warwick’s third public school in the spring.

The animosity doesn’t have to be forged or forced, though. In their previous regular-season meeting, as Division III foes last year, Pilgrim glided past Toll Gate as emotions started to run high on the field.

“There’s always been a lot of similarities between the Pilgrim and the Vets kids,” Pilgrim’s first-year head coach Rob Pacifico said. “That’s why that rivalry felt like two brothers fighting each other. Toll Gate’s a different animal. Is there a rivalry between Toll Gate and Pilgrim? Oh, yeah, but for the most part these feel like two different spots on the map. One side of the airport and the other. This feels like the haves and the have-nots, the Hatfields and the McCoys.”

This time around both sides have had similar results on the field despite existing in different divisions. The Pats ascended to the ranks of Division II after years of success in D-III, and they started their season on a high note. Quarterback James McKay hit Steven Rosa for a PAID POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT

OUR PICK: PILGRIM 32, TOLL GATE 18 thrilling, game-winning touchdown in the season opener against Mount Pleasant.

From there, though, Pilgrim lost its next six league games in a row. The Pats struggled to keep the opposing team off the board for the first half of the year. They lost three in a row to East Greenwich, Westerly and Johnston, allowing at least 37 points in each game.

“Our kids played well in the league, unfortunately our record did not show it,” Pacifico said. “[Division II]’s a much

more physical league. It was a learning curve. These kids had to learn they play to the whistle in D-II. They have a lot of one-way players. D-II’s about depth, DII’s about size.”

The defense was shored up after that.

Moses Brown and West Warwick, arguably two of the best teams in D-II, failed to eclipse 30 points against the Pats. However, Pilgrim’s offense was shut out in both of those matchups. Pilgrim has yet to find a balance between both sides of the ball since its win over the Kilties, but it could achieve a rhythm against Toll Gate.

The Titans’ season mirrored the Pats’ in some aspects. Toll Gate also grabbed a win early in the year, crushing Scituate, 36-14, after an emotional week that started with the untimely death of Principal Stephen Chrabaszcz.

“Of course it is, it always is,” Toll Gate quarterback Anthony Vann said of whether winning another one for Chrabaszcz will be on the players’ minds this Thursday. “I’m always thinking about him.”

Toll Gate played close games throughout the year, but was unable to dig out of early holes. North Providence and Hope jumped out to leads before Toll Gate could manufacture much offense, while a 35-28 shootout loss to Central Falls saw the Titans lose control of the game in the late stages.

PAID POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT

They’ve had their chances, but closing on this one Thursday could erase the memory of a difficult year in D-III. “Even when we played them last year, not on Thanksgiving, it was a huge rivalry,” Toll Gate head coach Jim Stringfellow said. “It’s a cross-town rival. It’s something that I think is going to build over the years. You don’t want to lose to Pilgrim. That flips your season, if you can come out with a win to go into the next year, you’re starting with a win.”

The key for Toll Gate will be keeping Pilgrim off the field. Vann has authored some extensive drives this year, and draining the clock to keep the Pats’ offense cold will be vital in the upset efforts.

Vann can motor down the sidelines and his arm has improved throughout the year, making him a lethal weapon if Toll Gate can seize momentum early.

Pilgrim has to strike early and often, as the Titans have had difficulty coming back all season. McKay can throw the deep ball, and Ty Weldon-Martin and Rosa can catch it. Getting the ground game moving with Nate Ferri and Sean Cooney is crucial as well.

The first-ever Warwick Beacon Bowl should be one for the ages, but Pilgrim’s experiences in Division II this year should have it battle-tested enough to pull out a Turkey Day victory.

- J.M. PAID POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT

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Pats and Titans kick off new-look rivalry

November 2016

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10 November 2016 TURKEY BOWL

TURKEY BOWL PILGRIM

Pacifico in unfamiliar spot on Thanksgiving Pilgrim head coach Rob Pacifico will be across from familiar faces in a territory that he knows all too well on Thanksgiving.

However, the scenario that he’ll be in will be anything but familiar.

Pilgrim’s first-year head coach moved into the position with school consolidation this year after directing the Warwick Vets football program last fall.

And, prior to taking a few years off before becoming head coach at Vets, Pacifico was a Hurricanes’ assistant coach for a span of more than a decade.

The bottom line?

Pacifico has been opposite Pilgrim for several Thanksgiving games, seeing it as a bitter rival year in and year out.

Now, he’ll be hoping to direct the Pats to a Turkey Day victory for the first time when they meet Toll Gate at 10 a.m. at Warwick Vets to kick off a new city tradition.

“I don’t expect it to be a problem or an issue,” Pacifico said of coaching Pilgrim for a Thanksgiving game. “Everyone expected this to be weird, but from day one in June, it was clear that we were all one and the adjustment was just what it had to be. The transition has been smooth.

It’s time for a new Thanksgiving game.

Tradition’s fine unless it gets in the way of progress, so we’re moving forward.”

With the consolidation, some of Pacifico’s former Vets players ended up at Toll Gate. He noted that it will be an emotional game with some well-known players on the other side of the field.

“I can’t lie, I’m looking forward to see-

ing some of my Vets kids that will be wearing a Toll Gate jersey on Thursday,” Pacifico said. “I’m going to go up and give them a hug and just make sure life’s good.”

Pacifico seems comfortable as the Pil-

grim coach, and is excited about where the program is headed.

The Pats struggled this season, going 16 in their first year back in Division II, but Pacifico anticipated some potential ups and downs with the jump in divisions.

“Our kids played well in Division II, but our record just didn’t show it,” Pacifico said. “Division II is a much more physical league, so we took some lumps this year and just kept fighting. In a year or two, we’ll be fine. Size-wise this is where we belong. Now, it’s just hitting the weights and getting ready for that league. Long-term, we’ll be fine in Division II, but this year was definitely a learning curve.”

That being said, Pilgrim is hoping that all the hard work that it put in this season will culminate with a Thanksgiving win.

“It would mean everything,” Pacifico said about potentially finishing the fall with a win. “You win your first two games and you’re flying high, and then you lose a few in a row and in a blink of an eye it’s Thanksgiving. To bookend those two wins with a Thanksgiving win, and going forward give the kids some amnesia for their memories about what happened in the middle of the season would be big.”

- M.M.

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11

TOLL GATE

The quarterback situation at Pilgrim has switched through a few different hands over the past several seasons, but, across the city, things have been a bit more stable.

Toll Gate has been led by the same signal-caller for the past three years, and he could prove to be the difference-maker in their Thanksgiving rivalry show-

down.

Junior Anthony Vann took the reins for the Titans as just a freshman, where the boys in red and blue struggled to the tune of a 1-7 record and last place in Division III. Vann had his coming out party last season in the season opener against Narragansett, piloting Toll Gate to a victory to start his sophomore cam-

paign.

He made considerable strides last year, utilizing his unique skill set to guide his team to a 3-5 record and just missing out on the playoffs.

In the newly-realigned D-III this season, which included Division IV powerhouses like Smithfield, Toll Gate failed to gather much momentum. The Titans endured some tough losses, falling 28-15 to North Providence and 35-28 to Central Falls in the first half of the year.

Toll Gate could have snuck into the postseason with a win against Hope, but the Blue Wave halted those chances.

However, the only reason the Titans were in that position was because of their fixture under center.

“He’s matured as a person and a player,” Toll Gate head coach Jim Stringfellow said. “He’s a fantastic football player, fantastic person. He’s a leader on the field, he’s a leader off the field.”

Toll Gate’s only score of the game against Hope back on Oct. 28 was an example of the confidence Vann has cultivated through three years as a starter.

Pinned at his own 9, he engineered an 18-play, 91-yard drive that drained the rest of the third quarter to cut the Titans’ deficit to one score at the time.

If he can master clock-killing marches like that against Pilgrim, keeping the ball

out of Jim McKay’s hands, the Pats could be in for an upset.

“We know he’s going to lead out there,” Stringfellow said. “He and [offensive coordinator] Jack [Paliotte] have strung together some fantastic drives over the years. Even through his freshman year and sophomore year, he leads out there. I know if he’s going to get the ball, if we need two or three yards, he’s going to pick it up any way possible, whether passing or throwing.”

Vann could be Toll Gate’s x-factor on Thanksgiving, deceiving Pilgrim’s defense with the read option while using his arm to make plays downfield. He should have his full complement of receiving weapons, including Rory Dobbins and Aidan Estrella, to make a bid to upend his cross-town rival.

“Finding open receivers and looking to run the ball more,” Vann said of his biggest adjustments throughout the year.

“Making my reads more and stuff like that.”

Despite the 1-6 regular-season record, Vann and his squad can take pride in ending the year with a win over Division II Pilgrim.

“It would be huge for us,” Vann said. “[Beating] a huge rival gives us the bragging rights in Warwick.”

- J.M.

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Wishing You A Happy Holiday Season

TURKEY BOWL

Vann can end junior campaign on high note

November 2016

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12 November 2016

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TOLL GATE TITANS

TALKIN TURKEY

RORY DOBBINS SENIOR

FAVORITE THANKSGIVING FOOD? Mashed potatoes.

FAVORITE THANKSGIVING FOOD? Macaroni and cheese.

PREDICTION? 24-14.

PREDICTION? We take the win, 21-14.

POSITION OTHER THAN YOUR OWN THAT YOU’D LIKE TO PLAY? Quarterback.

YOUR BIGGEST FANTASY BUST? Allen Robinson.

ANTHONY VANN JUNIOR

COACH’S MOST OVERUSED SAYING? You stink.

YOUR BIGGEST FANTASY BUST? Adrian Peterson.

ROSTER 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 9 10 11 12 13 19 20 22 23 24 27 29 31 42 44 47 50 51 54 56 57 60 63 64 66 67 69 70 71

Jarry Berrio SR Qyon Pichardo JR Anthony M. Vann (Capt.) JR Austin Jencks SO Anthony Ricci FR Anthony M. Calise JR Teagan Stringfelllow (C) SO Datyn Deasley JR Marc Colicci JR Rory E. Dobbins (Capt.) SR Christian Raposa FR Aidan Estrella SR Logan Heberg SO Wyatt C. Jencks SR Brett Babcock FR Kaleb Kendel FR Arturo Cardenas FR Christopher Souza SO Jaylan M. Brout JR Matthew E. Walsh JR Ethan Pierce SO Kenneth Morel FR Michael Negri SO Aaron French SR Jake Lombardi SO Brandon McNeill FR Nick K. Kazandjian SR Trevoy Campbell JR Elijah Alcantara FR Jonah Dunn SO Robert J. Lisi (Capt.)

JR Maxwell J. Laiter JR Robert DeCorpo SR Alex Kenney SR Joseph Boisvert FR Aidan Areson SO

72 73 74 75 77 80 81 85 87 99

BOBBY LISI JUNIOR

FAVORITE THANKSGIVING FOOD? Cranberry sauce.

PREDICTION? 28-25.

PREDICTION? We’re going to come out on top. I don’t know about a score.

COACH’S MOST OVERUSED SAYING? You stink.

YOUR BIGGEST FANTASY BUST? Adrian Peterson.

TEAGAN STRINGFELLOW

SOPHOMORE

COACH’S MOST OVERUSED SAYING? Too many to pick.

YOUR BIGGEST FANTASY BUST? Martellus Bennett because he didn’t get as many points as I thought he would.

FR SR JR JR FR FR SO SO JR FR

Head Coach: Jim Stringfellow Assistant Coaches: John Fitz-Simon, Matt Raso, Jack Paliotte, Dave Courtney, Taylor Stringfellow, Chris Torem and Emerson Torem Trainer: Jeff Howe

PLAYER TO WATCH Rory Dobbins Senior WR Dobbins has served as one of Vann’s top targets this fall, and he’ll be looking to end his Toll Gate career on a high note.

TOP FANTASY PERFORMER FAVORITE THANKSGIVING FOOD? Stuffing.

Ashton Kenney Logan Amirault Alex J. Christina Jayden R. Messier Robert Crothers Damian Costa Ethan Durand Alexander Rizk Corey Vickers Jordan Heng

Anthony Vann Junior QB Vann totaled three touchdowns in Toll Gate’s 36-14 win over Scituate, rushing for two scores and passing for another.

RESULTS League Record: 1-6 Overall Record: 1-9 JS/PCD/Wheeler 28, TG 0 (Non-League) North Providence 28, TG 15 TG 36, Scituate 14 Burrillville 40, TG 6 Central Falls 35, TG 28 Tiverton 35, TG 7 Coventry 32, TG 8 (Non-league) Hope 20, TG 6 Smithfield 35, TG 0 Ponaganset 30, TG 12 (Non-League)

13

1 5 7 9 10 12 13 14 15 17 24 25 27 29 33 35 37 38 39 40 43 44 47 50 51 53 54

Ty Weldon-Martin (Cptn.) SR Nathaniel Ferri SR Damian Barbiero JR Jamal Martey SR Eric Watts JR Austin Connors JR Michael Matarese JR James McKay (Cptn.) SR James Baldwin JR Zachary Johnson SR Kyle Ford JR Joshua Morin JR Brandon Yang SO Julian Rodas SO Simon Davis JR Jaron Petrozzi SO Jessica Ginaitt JR Renzel Greene SO Sean Cooney SR Sean Colleran SO Jason Pope SO Carlow Battison SO Joshua Moniz SO Kyle Denis JR Robert Grzyb SO Mitchell Fielding (Cptn.) SR Ryan Cote SR

PLAYER TO WATCH Sean Cooney Senior FB Cooney has been a great blocker during his Pilgrim career and is a threat in short-yardage situations.

55 56 58 59 60 61 63 64 65 66 69 72 75 76 77 78 81 82 83 87 91 97

Garet Sylvestre (Cptn.)

Ryan Mclean Elias Fura Oluwaseyi Akinnusotu Cameron Mack John Achille Joshua Sepulveda Ryan Follett Tyler Parton Tyler Vierra Aaron Carty Hunter Coleman Steven Kavanagh Marcus Eckert Ryan Steinle Zackery Fagundes Steven Rosa Matthew Coughlin Richard Bateman Mark Brown Marciano Santos Zachary D’Andrea

SR JR SO SO JR SO SO SR SR JR JR JR SR JR SR JR JR SR SR SO SO SR

TALKIN TURKEY

MITCHELL FIELDING SENIOR

Head Coach: Rob Pacifico Assistants: Billy King, Shane Kelly, Blake Simpson, Terry Siravo, Joe Fratus, Steve Morin and Tim McKay

TOP FANTASY PERFORMER Ty WeldonMartin Senior WR Weldon-Martin posted two touchdowns for the Pats at Johnston earlier this season.

TYLER VIERRA JUNIOR

FAVORITE THANKSGIVING FOOD? Mashed potatoes.

FAVORITE THANKSGIVING FOOD? Turkey.

YOUR BIGGEST FANTASY BUST? Todd Gurley.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST THANKFUL FOR? Family.

COACH’S MOST OVERUSED SAYING? It’s not a union job.

PREDICTION 42-0.

JIMMY MCKAY SENIOR

COACH’S MOST OVERUSED SAYING? Do you know I’m Italian?

PREDICTION 49-0.

FAVORITE THANKSGIVING FOOD? Broccoli casserole.

FAVORITE THANKSGIVING FOOD? Turkey.

POSITION OTHER THAN YOUR OWN THAT YOU’D LIKE TO PLAY? Running back.

COACH’S MOST OVERUSED SAYING? I’m fat and old and I can do it.

COACH’S MOST OVERUSED SAYING? I’m greasy.

PREDICTION Let’s go with 50-0.

KYLE DENIS JUNIOR

WHAT ARE YOU THANKFUL FOR? My family and my friends.

PREDICTION? 40-0.

RESULTS League Record: 1-6 Overall Record: 2-7 Pilgrim 35, North Providence 7 (Non-League)

Pilgrim 28, Mount Pleasant 22 East Greenwich 37, Pilgrim 14 Westerly 42, Pilgrim 6 Johnston 52, Pilgrim 36

Moses Brown 24, Pilgrim 0 West Warwick 26, Pilgrim 0 Middletown 34, Pilgrim 8 Coventry 36, Pilgrim 34 (Non-league)

Wishing You A Happy & Healthy Holiday Season!

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215 Toll Gate Road, Suite 206, Warwick

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TURKEY BOWL

pilgrim patriots

ROSTER

November 2016

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14

last thanksgiving...

TURKEY BOWL

November 2016

TURKEY BOWL

PILGRIM 46, WARWICK VETS 12

WEST 43, EAST 21

HENDRICKEN 39, TOLL GATE 28

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THANKSGIVING SERIES HISTORY WARWICK VETS VS. PILGRIM 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981 1980 1979 1978 1977 1976 1975 1974 1973 1972 1971 1970 1969 1968 1967 1966 1965 1964 1963

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Vets 20, Pilgrim 0 Pilgrim 41, Vets 6 Vets 14, Pilgrim 12 Vets 20, Pilgrim 18 Pilgrim 12, Vets 6 Vets 20, Pilgrim 18 Vets 7, Pilgrim 0 Pilgrim 14, Vets 6 Pilgrim 0, Vets 0 Pilgrim 34, Vets 8 Pilgrim 16, Vets 6 Pilgrim 17, Vets 14 Vets 23, Pilgrim 6 Pilgrim 20, Vets 0 Vets 21, Pilgrim 14 Vets 14, Pilgrim 6 Vets 26, Pilgrim 8 Vets 16, Pilgrim 6 Pilgrim 16, Vets 8 Pilgrim 19, Vets 6 Vets 21, Pilgrim 20 Pilgrim 12, Vets 0 Pilgrim 27, Vets 0 Pilgrim 31, Vets 0 Pilgrim 12, Vets 0 Vets 33, Pilgrim 6

HURRICANES WIN SERIES 29-23-1 SHUTOUTS BY VETS: 8 SHUTOUTS BY PILGRIM: 8 LARGEST VETS WINNING MARGIN: 44 points (44-0 in 2013) LARGEST PILGRIM WINNING MARGIN: 35 points (41-6 in 1987) SMALLEST VETS WINNING MARGIN: One point (21-20 in 1968) SMALLEST PILGRIM WINNING MARGIN: One point (7-6 in 2007)

BY DECADES 1960's - Pilgrim 5, Vets 2 1970's - Pilgrim 5, Vets 5 1980's - Vets 6, Pilgrim 3, 1 tie 1990's - Vets 7, Pilgrim 3 2000's - Vets 6, Pilgrim 4 2010’s - Vets 3, Pilgrim 3 LONGEST VETS WINNING STREAK: 6 games (1997-2002) LONGEST PILGRIM WINNING STREAK: 5 games (1977-81)

TOLL GATE VS. HENDRICKEN 2015 - Hendricken 39, Toll Gate 28 2014 - Hendricken 21, Toll Gate 12 2013 - Hendricken 8, Toll Gate 0 2012 - Hendricken 33, Toll Gate 0 2011 - Hendricken 31, Toll Gate 0 2010 - Hendricken 19, Toll Gate 0 2009 - Hendricken 26, Toll Gate 6 2008 - Hendricken 21, Toll Gate 18 2007 - Hendricken 35, Toll Gate 8 2006 - Hendricken 42, Toll Gate 6 2005 - Hendricken 33, Toll Gate 25 2004 - Hendricken 35, Toll Gate 2 2003 - Hendricken 9, Toll Gate 6 2002 - Hendricken 22, Toll Gate 6 2001 - Hendricken 27, Toll Gate 6 2000 - Hendricken 27, Toll Gate 0 1999 - Hendricken 35, Toll Gate 0 1998 - Hendricken 29, Toll Gate 0 1997 - Hendricken 31, Toll Gate 0 1996 - Hendricken 26, Toll Gate 12 1995 - Hendricken 48, Toll Gate 8 1994 - Hendricken 33, Toll Gate 13

1993 - Hendricken 31, Toll Gate 0 1992 - Hendricken 7, Toll Gate 6 1991 - Toll Gate 17, Hendricken 12 1990 - Toll Gate 7, Hendricken 6 1989 - Toll Gate 16, Hendricken 8 1988 - Toll Gate 21, Hendricken 20 1987 - Toll Gate 28, Hendricken 0 1986 - Toll Gate 25, Hendricken 13 1985 - Hendricken 21, Toll Gate 20 1984 - Hendricken 31, Toll Gate 14 1983 - Hendricken 25, Toll Gate 6 1982 - Hendricken 7, Toll Gate 0 1981 - Hendricken 13, Toll Gate 6 1980 - Hendricken 7, Toll Gate 6 1979 - Hendricken 7, Toll Gate 0 1978 - Toll Gate 25, Hendricken 0 1977 - Hendricken 22, Toll Gate 0 1976 - Hendricken 20, Toll Gate 15 1975 - Hendricken 27, Toll Gate 0 1974 - Hendricken 26, Toll Gate 13 1973 - Hendricken 21, Toll Gate 0 1972 - Toll Gate 14, Hendricken 6

HAWKS WIN SERIES 36-8 SHUTOUTS BY TOLL GATE: 2 SHUTOUTS BY HENDRICKEN: 14 LARGEST TOLL GATE WINNING MARGIN: 28 points (28-0 in 1987) LARGEST HENDRICKEN WINNING MARGIN: 40 points (48-8 in 1995) SMALLEST TOLL GATE WINNING MARGIN: One point (Twice; 1990 and 1988) SMALLEST HENDRICKEN WINNING MARGIN: One point (Three times; 1992, 1985, and 1980)

BY DECADES 1970's - Hendricken 6, Toll Gate 2 1980's - Hendricken 6, Toll Gate 4 1990's - Hendricken 8, Toll Gate 2 2000's - Hendricken 10, Toll Gate 0 2010’s - Hendricken 6, Toll Gate 0 LONGEST TOLL GATE WINNING STREAK: 6 games (1986-91) LONGEST HENDRICKEN WINNING STREAK: 24 games (1992-2015)

EAST VS. WEST 2015 - West 43, East 21 2014 - East 28, West 21 2013 - East 42, West 29 2012 - East 27, West 6 2011 - West 27, East 14 2010 - East 14, West 13 2009 - East 30, West 19 2008 - West 41, East 7 2007 - East 21, West 14 2006 - East 14, West 3 2005 - West 20, East 0 2004 - West 19, East 0 2003 - West 41, East 0 2002 - West 33, East 14 2001 - West 14, East 12 2000 - West 39, East 7 1999 - West 28, East 8 1998 - East 20, West 17 1997 - West 23, East 9 1996 - West 27, East 0 1995 - West 29, East 13 1994 - West 33, East 6

1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981 1980 1979 1978 1977 1976 1975 1974 1973

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East 24, West 0 West 6, East 0 West 18, East 6 East 7, West 0 East 26, West 7 West 14, East 13 East 37, West 20 East 14, West 6 West 14, East 13 East 12, West 0 East 20, West 6 West 7, East 6 West 20, East 12 East 21, West 6 East 14, West 0 East 22, West 0 East 27, West 12 East 31, West 8 East 27, West 0 East 10, West 7 West 12, East 3

THUNDERBOLTS LEAD 22-21 SHUTOUTS BY EAST: 6 SHUOUTS BY WEST: 5 LARGEST EAST WINNING MARGIN: 27 points (27-0 in 1975) LARGEST WEST WINNING MARGIN: 41 points (41-0 in 2003) SMALLEST EAST WINNING MARGIN: One point (2010) SMALLEST WEST WINNING MARGIN: One point (Three times; 1988, 1985 and 1982)

BY DECADES 1970's - East 6, West 1 1980's - East 6, West 4 1990's - West 7, East 3 2000's - West 7, East 3 2010’s - East 4, West 2 LONGEST EAST WINNING STREAK: 7 games (1974-80) LONGEST WEST WINNING STREAK: 7 games (1999-2005)

TURKEY BOWL

2015 - Pilgrim 46, Vets 12 2014 - Pilgrim 42, Vets 21 2013 - Vets 44, Pilgrim 0 2012 - Vets 40, Pilgrim 0 2011 - Vets 21, Pilgrim 14 2010 - Pilgrim 20, Vets 13 2009 - Pilgrim 22, Vets 0 2008 - Vets 42, Pilgrim 13 2007 - Pilgrim 7, Vets 6 2006 - Vets 20, Pilgrim 14 2005 - Vets 20, Pilgrim 6 2004 - Pilgrim 35, Vets 13 2003 - Pilgrim 24, Vets 0 2002 - Vets 22, Pilgrim 0 2001 - Vets 21, Pilgrim 7 2000 - Vets 19, Pilgrim 7 1999 - Vets 39, Pilgrim 22 1998 - Vets 14, Pilgrim 0 1997 - Vets 21, Pilgrim 6 1996 - Pilgrim 39, Vets 7 1995 - Vets 21, Pilgrim 7 1994 - Pilgrim 12, Vets 9 1993 - Vets 28, Pilgrim 0 1992 - Vets 14, Pilgrim 6 1991 - Pilgrim 12, Vets 6 1990 - Vets 36, Pilgrim 0 1989 - Vets 12, Pilgrim 2

November 2016

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TURKEY BOWL

November 2016 16