BLACKSTONE VALLEY MEMORIES

November 29

1992Cumberland’s Dan Coleman stuffed the puck home during a goal-mouth scramble midway through the final period to forge a 2-2 deadlock as the Clippers had to rally for a 2-2 overtime stalemate with Woonsocket in an Injury Fund hockey game at Adelard Arena. Paul Langton had the other Cumberland tally, while Paul Richer and Mike Landry scored for the Villa Novans. Woonsocket outshot Cumberland, 34-29, with Clipper goalie Ken Pope turning in a sterling, 32-save performance.

1992Speedster halfback David Griffin registered an incredible 334 yards on 20 carries and scored four touchdowns to spark coach Pete Ashby’s powerful Pawtucket Crusaders to a 30-14 thrashing of coach Joe Bagaglia’s Fairlawn Cardinals at muddy Johnston High field. Griffin unleashed scoring jaunts of 90, 63, 48 and 31 yards on second- and third-and-long situations to devastate the Cardinals defense. Milt Stratis’ 52-yard bolt and a 12-yard aerial from QB Darthanen Barboza to Kevin DePina accounted for Fairlawn’s TDs.

2002James Diossa’s goal just past the mid-way point of the second half was all Central Falls would need as the Warriors capped a magnificent playoff run by capturing the state schoolboy soccer crown thanks to a 1-0 whitewash over North Providence. “This was the third time that James scored on a direct kick,” said CF coach Bobby Marchand. “He did it against Tolman – 30 yards out – and we won 1-0. He did it against Lincoln – 30 yards outside the box – and we won 1-0. When we saw the position, we said ‘James, you take it. Go for the goal.’ And he did it. It wasn’t a miracle shot, but it was a great shot.”