PROVIDENCE — Undermanned but not undeterred, the East Providence High School football team eventually succumbed to host LaSalle, 35-20, in the semifinals of the Division I playoffs Friday night, Nov. 20.

The Townies led 20-14 at halftime, but an early third quarter punt return by the Rams' CJ Waite put LaSalle back on top for keeps. E.P. committed too many costly mistakes the rest of the way, which allowed the Rams to add on to their lead in the fourth

quarter on a touchdown pass from East Providence resident and LaSalle quarterback Jace Pena to wide out James Piccerelli.

"They basically wore us down," said EPHS head coach Jay Monteiro. "They out-manned us and that's a big advantage schools like LaSalle or Hendricken have over us or a team with a lot of kids. We made mistakes and a lot those were because my kids were tired. They're playing both sides of the ball. We got tired and banged up.

"But my guys played really, really hard. I'm proud of their effort. It was a tough one. I thought we had a good game plan. I thought we had them. We had a chance, but I'm proud of our guys. They brought it."

The loss ended the Townies' league season with a 5-4 record. The Rams, who improved to 8-1, advance to the D-I Super Bowl Saturday, Dec. 5, against top-seeded and unbeaten Hendricken (9-0), 41-7 winners over South Kingstown in Friday's other semi.

"East Providence came out and played really tough. They came out and punched us in the mouth early," said LaSalle head coach Geoff Marcone. "But I have to give our defense credit. The

defense stiffened up in the second half and stopped them from scoring the rest of the way."

East Providence, the decided underdogs having lost to the rival Rams in their meeting earlier this fall, 41-14, and missing eight starters, played with zeal from the opening kickoff. The Townies held LaSalle to a three-and-out on the first series of the game, then struck quickly for the night's initial score.

Junior quarterback Ryan Ellinwood hit Paulo Pereira with a flare pass on the edge, the senior back taking it 57 yards to touch just over two minutes into the contest. Tommy Lopes' point-after kick made it 7-0 E.P.

The Rams again struggled to find their offensive rhythm, turning the ball over on downs when a Pena pass on fourth-and-short fell

incomplete just inside E.P. territory. The Townies, however, failed to capitalize on their ensuing possession, but fumbled the ball back over to LaSalle in short order.

This time, the Rams were ready, matriculating the ball down the field on the ground courtesy of both Waite and fullback Kyron Lopes. The latter finally capped the drive with a bull rush from two yards out. Evan Nasseney's PAT leveled the score at seven with 3:55 to go in the first quarter.

Using the element of surprise, LaSalle went on-side for the ensuing kickoff, recovering at E.P. 49 but did not score. The sides then exchanged turnovers, the Townies' Ellinwood throwing a pick and LaSalle coughing it up. Dylan Bochichio recovered for the locals. E.P.'s next drive, though, stalled, giving it back to LaSalle.

The Rams then went with the single-wing "Wildcat" offense, Lopes serving as the lone back. Two plays later, he was in the end zone after breaking free for a 35-yard score. Nasseney's second PAT made it 14-7 LaSalle just 90 seconds into the second period.

From there, the Townies would score two touchdowns to take the six-point lead at intermission. Wide out CJ Hazzard set up the first score by making a leaping catch of an Ellinwood pass on the sideline. The E.P. QB later snuck in from the one for the TD. Lopes' point-after made it 14-all midway through the quarter.

The Townies' defense stiffened on the Rams' ensuing series, again turning the hosts over on downs. A few plays later, Ellinwood lofted a pass down the seam to an open and streaking Chase, who caught the ball in stride to finish off a 51-yard TD completion. Lopes, by this juncture dealing with an injury, mishit the kick for point, leaving the locals up 20-14 with just under three minutes to go before the break.

LaSalle made things interesting late in the half, attempting a "hook-and-lateral" pass play to Waite, who scurried about the E.P. defense until he was caught around the 10-yard line as time expired.

A few minutes later, however, Waite's shiftiness proved fruitful. E.P. was forced to punt to end its first series of the third quarter. Waite received the kick at his own 12, patiently worked his way through the initial coverage, then zig-zagged his way down the field and into the end zone to tie the game for a moment. Nassesey's third PAT proved the winning point.

The Townies never really recovered. A second Ellinwood interception ended one drive. Two others were mired by poor exchanges between the center and punter on snaps. Part of E.P.'s inability to properly execute could have been chalked up to the injury to Lopes, the Townies' regular punter and starting running

back who was injured in the first quarter and was unable to contribute most of the rest of the night.

One of those miscues in the kicking game preceded another Waite touchdown run, this one of just three yards. LaSalle finally iced the win in the fourth when Pena connected with Piccerelli with just over three minutes remaining in the game.

Friday's game was a precursor to the annual Thanksgiving Day game between the Townies and Rams at Pierce Stadium. The contest, since the change in the playoff format last year, is a non-league outing. Kickoff is 10 a.m. on November 26.

To view a photo gallery by Rich Dionne, click link below.

East Providence vs LaSalle Football