BLACKSTONE VALLEY MEMORIES

November 22

1982 Jeff Allen, a bullish fullback,

rushed for 140 yards on 21 carries and scored the game’s only two touchdowns to lead coach Dennis O’Brien’s undefeated (10-0-0) Saint Raphael Academy gridders to a 12-0 blanking over Tolman before 5,500 fans at McCoy Stadium for the Saints’ third consecutive win in this venerable Thanksgiving Day rivalry. Both of Allen’s TDs came in the final period on a six-yard buck and a 43-yard gallop. “We felt we were in better shape than they were and that we’d catch them in the fourth quarter,” said SRA linebacker Steve Costa, who played an outstanding game.

1992

Bryan Tamul tallied two touchdowns, one from the air and one on the ground, as coach Todd Vasey’s Saint Raphael Academy football team bagged Tolman 25-6 before a modest McCoy Stadium crowd of 2,500 to even the Turkey Day series at 30-30-4. The Saints’ TDs came via a seven-yard pass from QB Wayde Labossiere to Tamul, a 39-yard jaunt by Tamul, a 13-yard bull by Jacob Cooney and a 15-yard gallop by Toney Barker. The Tigers’ lone tally occurred when Tony Maciel recovered a blocked punt in the end zone.

2002

Justin Wright, a standout tailback, rushed for 90 yards on 16 carries and scored a touchdown, but it was not enough, as undefeated (10-0-0) Bishop Feehan downed Saint Raphael Academy 21-8 in their inaugural Thanksgiving Day encounter before a large gathering at McGrath Field. Wright tallied on a three-yard run in the third quarter with a Chris Braddock to Jared Bessette pass converting the PAT. “We knew it was going to be a hard fought game,” stated SRA coach Mike Sassi.