If Sunday’s New England Patriots-New York Giants game had you on the edge of your seat, plan on taking in tonight’s Fire Bowl II at the Mayor Joseph M. Polisena Stadium in Johnston.
Kick off is set for 7 p.m., weather permitting. The game will feature teams made up exclusively from the Johnston and North Providence fire departments.
North Providence took the inaugural Fire Bowl, 7-0, a year ago on a night when a slight rain covered the artificial surface in Johnston. The game’s co-founder, Anthony Rampone, intercepted a Johnston pass and scooted into the end zone for the game’s only score.
Tonight, the teams – Johnston Fire Fighters Local 1950 and North Providence Local 2334 – play for bragging rights. The mayors of the towns have also reprised a bet from last year, in which the mayor of the losing team’s town will publicly wash the vehicle of the winning town’s mayor.
“This year’s game is going to be a battle to the end,” said Jon Pistacchio, vice president of Local 1950. “Our team will head onto the field with one mission – to bring home the trophy.”
The Fire Bowl trophy has been in possession of North Providence, and that very much pleases Mayor Charles Lombardi, who stood by several weeks ago and watched Johnston Mayor Joseph Polisena wash his vehicle.
Just last week, Lombardi attended the pre-Fire Bowl press conference and presented Polisena with a sponge, telling the Johnston leader to “keep it in safe place for when you wash my vehicle next year.”
Polisena, meanwhile, shrugged off that notice and countered: “We were gracious hosts last year, that’s why your team won.”
As for the Johnston firefighters, Pistacchio told the Sun Rise this week: “Head coach Dave Pingitore has been working the team hard in practice over the past few months, and they’re ready for everything and anything North Providence might throw at them.”
Pistacchio added: “Coach Ping has the team focused and heading in the right direction. To pull out a win against a tough opponent like North Providence Local 2334 will be difficult, but if they play as a team and keep their heads in the game, Johnston will be victorious.”
There’s another side of tonight’s Fire Bowl II, though, that Polisena, Lombardi, both locals and their families are hoping shares in game’s MVP award.
“In this case, MVP means ‘Most Valuable People,’” Polisena said. “Those are the people who will help Fire Bowl II score an overwhelming triumph and put food on people’s tables.”
As was the case when Rampone and Pingitore – along with Polisena and Lombardi – founded the flag football contest a year ago, tonight’s game will benefit the Tri-Town Community Action Agency Food Closet.
“Admission is free, but we’re asking each and every person that comes to the game to bring two non-perishable food items,” Polisena said. “Last year, residents from both towns were great. They brought bags full of non-perishable items and helped make Thanksgiving special for a lot of people in need.”
Polisena said the Johnston Fire Department, under the direction of Chief Tim McLaughlin, will have a rescue vehicle parked at the gate for people to drop off their non-perishable food items.
“Last year was huge,” Polisena said. “People’s generosity was super and special. They helped fill the back of Rescue 4 with more than 500 pounds of non-perishable food, and we’re hoping that amount doubles this time.”
Likewise, last November’s Fire Bowl also raised $1,500 in cash, and both locals are hoping the game will surpass that total as well. Polisena and Lombardi got the ball rolling a week ago when they each pledged $200 in hopes of setting a new Fire Bowl record.
Below are the rosters for both teams:
Johnston: Dave Pingitore (coach, 11), Dominic aRusso (27), Adam Barros (23), Joshua Bloschichak (47), Patrick Brockway (50), David Calabro (00), Elizabeth Casper (53) Richard Gemma (46), Ryan Jamiel (51), Nick Audet (55), Jessie Jacavone (80), David Karbowski (22), Derek Lafazia (19), Michael Letoile (49), Corey Mcnulty (40), Scott Mooney (31), Justin Petrin (48), Cody Pezzullo (44), Donald Roberts (32)
North Providence: Ben Maimoni (4), Jeff Bibby (5), Will Davis (6), Anthony Rampone (7), David Broccoli (8), Sarkis Parseghian (10), Kyle Demerchant (11), Algot Abrahamson (12), Phil Kennedy (14), Winston Cobb (15), Dave Bouley (16), Mark Rizzo (24), Brad Russo (30), Giuseppe Ruggieri (37), Chris Pistacchio (39), Mike Digiulio (45), Darren Gallagher (50), Mike Nadiger (54), Scott Corio (55), Bill Charello (63), Bill Calabro (67), Tom Guilbault (69), Jay Sousa (71), Sean Mcnulty (72), David Giammarco (80), Lenny Albanese (81), Craig Levesque (82), Dan Wright (85), Jim Chappel (87), Dan Usenia (89), Lil Algot (team assistant), John Laurie (union president).
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