RI Super Bowl Night: A Big Hit For Providence Gridiron Club

By Bruce Mastracchio

It was a great night all around Wednesday as 216 coaches, players, family, friends and fans showed up for the annual Hall of Fame Night put on by the Providence Gridiron Club. Master of Ceremonies, John Gillooly, kept the crowd entertained with his anecdotes about the Super Bowl, going back to 1972, one of his early years as a reporter for the ProJo. He had seen some of the coaches play in the championship event when they were stars at their respective high schools.

Each of the participating coaches in this year's event, which will be held at Cranston Stadium this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, 12 noon and three each day, spoke on their teams, their opponents and what the season meant to them. It was a season that started in early August and will culminate this weekend with the State titles on the line.

Each coach also introduced his players, who were in attendance. North Kingstown and Portsmouth brought large contingents of over 40. All teams were well represented.

Speaking about the Super Bowl and their teams, were Keith Croft and Geoff Marcone, of Bishop Hendricken and LaSalle Academy who will contest for the State crown, which Hendricken has won 6 years in a row. Their game is 12 noon Saturday.

Tom Centore, Cranston East Head Coach, and Ryan Moniz, Portsmouth's leader spoke for their two teams, which play in the D-1 championship on Saturday at 3 pm.

Joe Gilmartin, North Kingstown Headman talked on his team's great, unbeaten path this year, while J.R. Santos, Moses Brown assistant coach let the crowd in on the Quaker's outstanding season. He filled in for MB Head Coach, Willie Edwards, who was ill. NK and MB meet for the D-2 title at 12 noon Sunday.

Last, but certainly not least, were the two Head Coaches of the D-3 participants, Burrillville and Juanita Sanchez/PCD/Wheeler, Gennaro Ferraro and Steve Nadeau. Their pairing is a repeat of the great final game last season won by the Broncos. They will meet at 3 pm Sunday.

All in all it was a great night and a great get-to-gether of rival high schools, who got to break bread with their opponents, who they will be trying to break down this coming weekend.

The Providence Gridiron Club will have another dinner in two weeks, on Wednesday night, Dec. 13 at the 'O' Club to honor the offensive and defensive MVPs from all of the state's high schools. Tickets for this outstanding event are $30 for a four course chicken dinner. Honorees ( both MVP's ) are free. Teammates, school representatives, family, friends and fans are invited to attend this event. For further information and details contact PGC President, Robert Izzi at 401-378-4393 or robert.izzi@aol.com.

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