by Charlie Adams, TSM - CRANSTON, RI - After missing out last year due to COVID-19, the tradition was back as the Cranston East Thunderbolts went against their cross-town rivals, the Cranston West Falcons. East came in riding high following their first win in over three years against West Warwick on November 5, 40-27, while West fell short in their last game to Shea, 21-14. Both teams lone wins this season came against West Warwick (Falcons won by a score of 20-7). On the 48th official Thanksgiving day meeting between Cranston East and Cranston West, the Falcons took down the Thunderbolts in a nail biter 22-21.
Traditions are celebrated on Thanksgiving, and one of the biggest traditions in Cranston is the football game between our two high schools. Cranston East and Cranston West have previously battled 47 times on Thanksgiving. In those matchups, the Thunderbolts led the series 24-23. However, as of late, West has won 3 of the last 5 matchups. This marks the first time since 2002 that Cranston East played their Thanksgiving game without Coach Tom Centore at the helm. At that time, present head coach Isaiah McDaniel was just a junior at East playing on the team. Cranston West coach Tom Milewski, who also played for the team he now coaches, was an assistant coach on the West staff back in 2002.
The Falcons brought a heavy rushing game that wore on the Thunderbolt defense. Led by Marcus Chung’s two rushing touchdowns and freshman quarterback Kelan Cornell’s heroics, West was able to tie up the Thanksgiving day series against East 24-24. The late fumble that allowed Cranston West to tie the game and the two-point conversion that followed really put the momentum in West’s hands.
Cranston West won the toss and elected to kick off, giving the Thunderbolts the ball to start the game. After a fumble scare, East was forced to punt. On West’s first possession, they didn’t do much, punting it away. On the ensuing series, Peyton Ginolfi was able to break through on a 23-yard touchdown run for the first score of the Thanksgiving day game, putting the ‘Bolts ahead 7-0 early.
The Falcons started the second quarter with the ball, driving into ‘Bolts territory. Junior Marcus Chung capped a 10 play, 59-yard drive with a 24-yard touchdown run, knotting the game at 7.
Pinned deep in their own end following a great kickoff by Falcon senior Madison Alves, Romeo Cordeiro broke multiple tackles on a 47-yard run. A 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on West put the ball on the 11-yard line. East was in position to make it back to the end zone until a holding penalty moved them back to the Falcon 18-yard line. A Da’Qwon Foster to Carlos Cedeno touchdown on 3rd & 13 was negated by an illegal formation penalty against the ‘Bolts. The ‘Bolts failed to convert a 4th and 18 from the West 19-yard line, resulting in a turnover on downs. Another stop from the Thunderbolt defense gave East a chance at the lead again, but the ‘Bolts suffered another turnover on downs after driving to West’s 36 yard-line as they entered halftime tied 7-7.
Receiving the ball to start the second half, West crossed into ‘Bolts territory. Their drive ended by turning the ball over on downs after a loss of seven yards on 4th and 3 from the East 48-yard line.
A’driahn Foreman was able to cap off a 7-play, 45-yard drive as he punched in a two-yard rushing touchdown to bring the ‘Bolts back in front 14-7.
East continued to stifle the Falcon rushing attack and forced a punt from the West 28 yard-line. It took just one play for Laquinton Kelly to score a 46-yard rushing touchdown and increase the Thunderbolts lead to two scores as they went into the final quarter.
The Falcons put their trust in freshman quarterback Kelan Cornell for their next drive. It paid off as he brought his offense down the field, culminating in another short rush from Marcus Chung to split the deficit in half.
Looking to answer back, the Thunderbolts methodically drove to the West 15-yard line, looking to put the game out of reach. Foreman took a handoff from Foster and barreled inside the Falcon ten-yard line, but had the ball punched out. The fumble was pounced on by West, who now had a chance with seven minutes remaining in the contest. They did that and more with a 90-yard passing touchdown to Hudson Carvalho from Kelan Cornell. Carvalho took a crossing pattern and outraced the East defense to bring the Falcons within a point of the ‘Bolts. An offsides penalty against East on the ensuing extra point attempt moved the ball inside the two-yard line. West head coach Tom Milewski elected to send the offense back on the field and go for the two-point conversion and the lead. Marcus Chung converted the rush to take the first lead for Cranston West of the game, 22-21.
East took over on their own 14-yard line and methodically drove deep into West territory. A huge 4th down conversion near midfield with less than two minutes left kept the ‘Bolts hopes alive. Aided by a helmet-to-helmet contact penalty against the Falcons, East had the ball on West 20-yard line, but a lack of timeouts hindered their efforts. Facing 3rd and 8 at the 20, East elected to try to get closer rather than send Christian Mestre out to attempt the game-winning field goal. A short gain on 3rd and 8 was followed by a sack of Foster on 4th down, giving the Falcons a hard-fought win, 22-21
Following the game, Cranston East chose Peyton Ginolfi as their offensive MVP, and Laquinton Kelly as their defensive MVP. On the Cranston West side, Marcus Chung brought home offensive MVP honors, and Dominic Schiavulli was awarded defensive MVP.
East fought hard and had control of the game for most of the contest, but fell just short in the Thanksgiving Day game. However, the Falcons switch to the freshman Cornell at quarterback changed the entire tone of the game as his passing ability took advantage of a season-long weakness for the ‘Bolts: pass defense. East also made fatal mistakes with costly penalties and the late fumble really killed the Thunderbolts chances. The ‘Bolts will have an entire off-season to think about what could have been.
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