BLACKSTONE VALLEY MEMORIES

November 15

1967Saint Raphael Academy and North Providence staged one of the most exciting football games of the schoolboy season as they battled to a 25-25 draw at McCoy Stadium. The Saints jumped out to a 12-0 lead with less than two minutes remaining in the half on a Johnny O’Connor 25-yard reverse romp and a 35-yard pass from sophomore QB Ed McNaught to end John Carroll. After intermission, SRA scored on a 63-yard dash by Bob Kulaga and on a spectacular 53-yard punt return by O’Connor where three times he shook loose from defenders at the 50, losing his right shoe in the process, and still outraced the remaining Cougar defenders to the end zone.

1977Coach Dennis O’Brien’s Saint Raphael Academy eleven (7-1 in Class B Small) will be trying to snap a 13game Thanksgiving Day losing streak to coach Gig Pariseau’s Tolman (2-4 in Class A Small) squad when they meet for the 49th time in the city series rivalry. This will be Pariseau’s 35th Turkey Day tilt versus SRA with the Tigers holding an overall 28-17-3 edge. Offensively, the Saints are led by running backs Steve Paulhus and Jimmy Adams, while Tolman features QB Jim Pollock and running backs Dave Neill and Jim Muratori.

1987John Picozzi rushed for 161 yards on 16 carries, scored two touchdowns and defensively “was in on every play” according to coach Howie Catley as his Lincoln Lions rallied for a 19-14 come-from-behind triumph over Westerly to improve to 7-2 in Class B-One play. Picozzi tallied his TDs on a 66-yard dash and an 18-yard scoot, while Brad Dupuis gained 92 yards in 17 attempts including a game-winning fourth quarter three-yard buck with 1:40 left in the contest. Catley cited the offensive blocking of Dave Daignault, Tim Harrold and Brian Bouthelette.