EAST PROVIDENCE — Kyron Lopes’ five-yard touchdown run proved the difference in LaSalle Academy’s 24-21 win over East Providence in the 86th annual Thanksgiving Day game between the sides played Thursday, Nov. 27.
On the 75th anniversary of Pierce Memorial Stadium the contest was one of the many great games played at there through the years, coming down to the final drives.
On LaSalle’s first drive, the Townies returned an interception for a touchdown which gave them the early lead. The Rams then drove down the field by running the ball on three series, resulting in two touchdowns and a field goal. East Providence scored another touchdown on a 26-yard pass, but went into the half down 17-14.
In the second half, the Rams continued to run the ball with success as Lopes gave them a 24-14 lead. The Townies defense then forced a fumble which was returned 70 yards for a TD closing the Rams’ lead to 24-21. E.P’s defense couldn’t make one more stop as LaSalle ran out the clock and ended the Townies’ season.
E.P. quarterback Ryan Ellinwood throws a touchdown pass to Jayden Chase Thursday.
LaSalle looked to be off to a hot start on their first offensive drive until E.P. linebacker Aaron Amaral came up with an interception that was returned 18 yards for a touchdown. Corey Resendes’ point after put the Townies up 7-0.
On LaSalle’s next drive, it looked like the Rams were in a tough situation on a third and 20. Then, Don’Trae’ Odufunade took advantage of several missed tackles and ran 26 yards for a TD. Andrew Salzillo’s point after tied the game at seven.
To start the second quarter the Rams went 77 yards to the end zone, all by running the football. The drive was finished off by LaSalle quarterback and E.P. resident Jace Pena running it in for a one-yard touchdown. Salzillo’s PAT gave the Rams a 14-7 lead.
Both teams then went three-and-out and after LaSalle failed on a fake punt the Townies started at the Rams’ 27-yard line. On the next play East Providence quarterback Ryan Ellinwood completed a 27-yard pass over the middle to end Jayden Chase for a touchdown. Resendes’ PAT tied the game at 14 with just under four minutes left in the half.
LaSalle again used the running game to move into E.P. territory. Pena then completed a 20-yard strike to end Henry Dunphy, which put the Rams in field goal range with 11 seconds left in the half. Salzillo proceeded to muster just enough of a kick to hit a 28-yard field goal which gave LaSalle a 17-14 lead heading into the half.
“Our running game is our staple right now,” Coach Marcone said. “That is something that we are very good at and we got to work a little bit on our passing game.”
City resident and LaSalle QB Jace Pena scores a touchdown for the Rams against the Townies.
The Townies then made another costly mistake, this time fumbling the ball as it was recovered by a host of Rams.
This gave LaSalle great field position for the second straight drive, starting from the Townies’ 26. The Rams once again ran the ball and it was eventually run in for a five-yard touchdown by Lopes. Silzillo’s extra point gave the Rams a 24-14 lead with one minute left in the third quarter.
To start the fourth quarter the Townies were forced to punt and was it blocked by LaSalle’s Timothy Faria, another of the eight East Providence residents on the Rams’ roster. This gave the Rams the ball deep in E.P. territory but LaSalle made a mistake of their own. The Rams fumbled the ball and E.P’s Paulo Pereira picked it up and ran 70 yards for a TD which closed LaSalle’s lead to 24-21.
“Paul is a great kid. He is playing with one arm, only one shoulder,” East Providence coach Jay Monteiro said. “I am glad I get him back (for next year).”
On LaSalle’s next drive they failed on a fourth and long giving E.P. the ball at its own 25-yard line. East Providence went three-and-out and decided to punt instead of going for it on fourth and 10.
East Providence’s defense was great all game but failed to make one more stop as LaSalle ran out the clock and the Townies season came to an end.
“I have been saying it and I will continue to say it. They (East Providence) will always be a top competitor,” Pena said.
The Townies finishes 2-6 in Division I play and 3-7 overall under first-year coach Monteiro while LaSalle (8-0 in D-I, 10-2 overall) prepares to play Bishop Hendricken in the Division I Super Bowl at noon on December 6 at Cranston Stadium.
“We are in the Super Bowl and now we got to go win it,” Pena said. “We got all the trophies we could this year and now there is one left.”
— Story by Nick Friend