Proud Townies Fall to La Salle in Thanksgiving Rivalry Game

Not even a score of 34-13 during the vs. La Salle Academy Thanksgiving Day football game could squash the spirit of Townie Pride Thursday. Residents from across the city turned out at to cheer on their own with help from East Providence High School's marching band and cheerleaders. 

On the west side of the field, the friends and family of the visiting team sat attentively in the bleachers, watching the game unfold in their favor. For a few spectators, however, the cause for celebration was not so clear cut.

While rooting for a La Salle victory, Marcus Jannitto of Riverside still had a one foot in, one foot out view of the game, or at least its result. The proud father of a LaSalle sophomore, Jannitto himself graduated from LaSalle, yet proudly calls Riverside his home. As far game scores are concerned, Jannitto is sitting pretty either way. 

"It's a win-win situation for us: If East Providence wins, we're residents of Riverside, that's great. If La Salle wins, my daughter goes to La Salle, I went to La Salle, so I'm good either way," Jannitto said.

Jannitto admits, and appreciates, that having a stake in both teams is a safe and less ego-bruising way to approach what has been a decades-long rivalry. The duality of resident Townie and invested parent and alumni has also helped him beyond the bleachers.

"I refereed a volleyball game between East Providence and LaSalle this past fall, and it was great because I could be absolutely neutral," Jannitto said laughing.

Jannitto's friend, David Cardullo of Riverside, had a slightly less indifferent view of how the game could unfold, one that stems from his own roots.

"I played in this game when I attended La Salle, so maybe that's why I'm a little more partial to La Salle," Cardullo said. "You see, when I went there, this was a big rivalry, playing East Providence on Thanksgiving. It was a really big deal."

On the east side of the field presented a cheering sea of red and white. Marching band members who sat in the bleachers during plays would take to their instruments for a demonstration of impromptu support against a backdrop of cheering parents and neighbors.

One such parent was Krista Taylor. Though she grew up in Seekonk, Taylor says she started out as an East Providence fan years ago, back when the team was still called the Mohawks.

After 10 years of going to the annual game, Taylor got to see her son, East Providence sophomore and corner Jasiah Hatch, play in his first Thanksgiving Day game against LaSalle, something she describes as "humbling."

"I feel old. That's my baby out there now, and I remember the days when it was me here," Taylor said. "But it's nice to see the new generation take over."

Also humbling to Taylor was the ominous score of 34-13. 

"[That score] is to remind us that we're all just here for the fun of it," she said.

The simple fun of the game was not the only theme that stuck out to Taylor. To her, the day of thanks and the sport she cheered were fused together in a healthy perspective. Despite all of the challenges facing many Rhode Islanders, Taylor says that events like Thursday's game serve an even more important role in uniting the community. 

"I think it's more important [this year] to bring the kids together, and the community, and be thankful for what we do have," said Taylor. "It's a beautiful day, and these kids are pretty fortunate, even though there's a lot going on that's difficult, but they all come together and they forget about it," Taylor said.