Power Pack: RI High School Football: Thanksgiving Special
Jack Andrade, GoLocalProv Sports Reporter
Power Pack: RI High School Football: Thanksgiving Special
The air is cold, the ground is damp, and our stomach's are hungry. Yup, Thanksgiving football is here in Rhode Island, and each high school team will play their annual rivalry game before sitting down and giving thanks this Thursday. Thanksgiving games go beyond wins and losses, it's all about tradition and memories. Here are my Top 10 teams in the state heading into Turkey Day.
Power Pack: RI High School Football: Thanksgiving Special
La Salle
Division Record: 3-4 (Division 1)
Overall Record: 5-5
La Salle lost 27-22 squeaker to Hendricken and now are faced with the shocking possibility of not finishing in the Top 4 in Division 1 and qualifying for the playoffs. The Rams play East Providence Thursday morning and need Cranston West to knock off Cranston East to have a shot at the postseason.
North Kingstown
Division Record: 5-2 (Division 2-B)
Overall Record: 9-2
The Skippers didn't make the Division 2 playoffs despite their 5-2 record, as 5 teams tied at 5-2 in Division 2-B and NK was the odd man out via tiebreakers. North Kingstown has handled their misfortune with class and crack my Top 10 based off their regular season victories over the 2 teams playing in the Division 2 Super Bowl in December.
Cranston East
Division Record: 4-3 (Division 1)
Overall Record: 7-3
Cranston East takes on Cranston West in their usual Thanksgiving morning game this Thursday, and a win will put the Thunderbolts in the Division 1 playoffs as the #4 seed. Cranston East has the highest scoring offense in Division 1 at 35 points per game.
Moses Brown
Division Record: 8-1 (Division 3)
Overall Record: 8-2
Moses Brown continues to dominate in Divison 3,boasting the league's #1 scoring offense (38.7 ppg) and #1 scoring defense (5.2 ppg). They'll be the #2 seed in the Division 3 playoffs and a potential Super Bowl matchup against Mt. Pleasant is a dream matchup. The Quakers take on St. Raphael Wednesday night.
West Warwick
Division Record: 5-2 (Division 2-B)
Overall Record: 7-3
West Warwick earned the top seed in Division 2-B and then went on to win a pair of playoff games over the past couple of weeks. The Wizards beat Mt. Hope 42-0 in the Division 2 quarterfinals and Rogers 34-13 in the semifinals. The take on Coventry Thursday morning and then play Cumberland in the Division 2 Super Bowl on December 8th.
Cumberland
Division Record: 5-2 (Division 2-B)
Overall Record: 7-3
The Clippers beat Coventry 42-7 in the Division 2 quarterfinals and then knocked off St. Raphael 49-35 in the semifinals. The Clippers take on Woonsocket Thursday morning and then will face West Warwick in the Division 2 Super Bowl. Cumberland lost to West Warwick 14-0 on November 8th.
Mt. Pleasant
Division Record: 8-0 (Division 3)
Overall Record: 9-1
The Kilties have locked up the #1 seed in Division 3 and will look to close their regular seaon out undefeated in league play with a win Tuesday night over Classical. Mt. Pleasant is one of just 2 teams in the state to be unbeaten in their division (North Providence is undefeated in Division 4).
Portsmouth
Division Record: 6-2 (Division 1)
Overall record: 8-2
Portsmouth is locked in as the #3 seed in Division 1 and won a 7-6 thriller in their league finale over previously unbeaten Barrington. The Patriots square off against Middletown on Thursday morning.
Hendricken
Division Record: 7-1 (Division 1)
Overall Record: 9-1
Hendricken knocked off La Salle in their Division 1 finale and will be the #2 seed in the Division 2 playoffs. The Hawks +162 scoring difference is tops in Division 1 for the season, and they'll face off with Toll Gate Thursday morning in their Thanksgiving game.
Barrington
Division Record: 7-1 (Division 1)
Overall Record: 10-1
Barrington remains my #1 team despite a 7-6 loss to Portsmouth in their Division 1 finale. The game didn't mean anything standings-wise, as the Eagles will still be the #1 seed in the Division 1 tournament. Barrington plays Mt. Hope Thursday morning.
