It was vintage Johnston hospitality at its best.
More impressively, perhaps, it came in two forms – one heaping batch from Mayor Joseph Polisena, and another from the Johnston Youth Football Association (JYFA).
Although a slight rain made the night’s low temperature feel even colder, upwards of three-dozen student-athletes from all over Massachusetts and Rhode Island realized the thrill of playing football inside Johnston High School’s spanking new state-of-the-art athletic complex.
And that all happened because the JYFA had three players selected for the prestigious All-Star squad that traveled to Kissimmee, Fla., for last weekend’s National Youth Football Association’s championships against teams from New Hampshire and Arizona.
“What a great sendoff for these kids,” said Dave Pingitore, a Johnston firefighter and coach in the JYFA. “We can’t thank the mayor enough for what he’s done here tonight.”
For starters, Polisena extended an invitation to the entire All-Star squad to hold their final pre-trip practice in Johnston at the new athletic complex. There, under the lights, the players worked out and also received a warm welcome – and words of encouragement – from the mayor.
Polisena talked about his high school days and all the hard work that goes into being a successful student-athlete.
“Every one of you should be proud to play for your respective teams,” Polisena told the group of more than 30 players. “You must continue to work hard, on the football field and in the classroom. Enjoy yourselves and this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
The mayor wasn’t the only Johnstonian who welcomed the youth football standouts last Thursday night.
Joe Acciardo, Johnston High’s head football coach, also addressed the squad, saying that “people will ask you if you if you won or lost in Florida. What are even more important about this journey are the memories you’ll share with your teammates. Savor the moments of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and do not forget your schoolwork. Without it, your football success will end.”
Last Thursday night’s historic event came about because the youth Panthers sent a total of five players to the recent combine to tryout for the prestigious team that traveled to Florida.
Those All-Stars were Nathan Mendoza, Manny Lourenco, David Pingitore, Bobby Civetti and Jonathan Souza.
“They are all hard working kids,” offered Johnston’s Jay Wright, who served as the All-Stars head coach in Florida. “They’re all talented and tough kids who have won multiple championships in their youth [football] careers.”
Mendoza and Pingitore were selected as offensive team tackles, and Lourenco started at guard and anchored the left side of the line with Mendoza.
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