Pete boys senior night

By PETE FONTAINE Although it wasn’t a banner year for Johnston High’s soccer Panthers, there was plenty of celebrating on Senior Night inside Mayor Joseph M. Polisena Stadium.

Plenty of alums, school officials and proud parents were among those who were honored during pre-match ceremonies that marked the final game 11 super seniors would play for the storied Columbia blue and white soccer Panthers.

“It’s always a happy occasion with mixed emotions,” offered Melissa Patrone, who has long teamed with Deb McHale – another mighty mom – to assist the JHS soccer squad in whatever way possible. “While we’ll saying goodbye to some special (senior) players, we sometimes bid adieu to parents who have made a difference for the past three or four years.”

One such person is McHale, who Patrone calls “my partner for a number of activities” (not just sports) on Cherry Hill.

McHale’s son James McHale is one of 11 seniors who’ll leave the JHS soccer program and they’ll both be missed next year. However, Patrone – and other proud parents – are trying to convince one of the soccer squad’s “Unofficial MVMs (Most Valuable Mothers) to stay on at least another year.”

Patrone, in fact, wanted it known that “Deb McHale has done it all as a volunteer. She has opened and operated the concession stand in all kinds of weather – rain, sun and cold weather - for the past four years; I love her so much! She helped with whatever the team needed with no questions asked. If she leaves, it will create a huge void, so I’m working on getting her to stay around and have fun with us again next year.”

Meanwhile, those special soccer seniors who helped Johnston High post a creditable 6-5-5 overall record in the Rhode Island Interscholastic League’s Division III who were honored on Senior Night are: Abraham Andres, Louis Rojas, Ryan Lavoie, James McHale, Cameron Sooner, Jimmy Poole, Luke Vincent, Nicolas Fagboat, Carlos Fragoso, Alex Turcotte and Brandon Andrade.

The soccer Panthers, who were coached by John Sousa, are looking forward to the 2020 season and increasing their win total and again qualifying for the postseason playoffs.

MIGHTY MOM: Deb McHale is all smiles after being honored during the recent Johnston High Soccer Panthers Senior Night inside Mayor Joseph M. Polisena Stadium. (Submitted photos) SUPER SENIORS: Those members of Johnston High’s Class of 2020 who helped the soccer Panthers post a winning record of 6-5-5 are, kneeling from left: Luke Vincent, Nicolas Fagboat, Carlos Fragoso, Alex Turcotte and Brandon Andrade. Standing: Abraham Andres, Louis Rojas, Ryan Lavoie, James McHale, Cameron Sooner, Jimmy Poole and Coach John Sousa. SPECIAL SENDOFF: These are the proud parents and soccer Panthers who were honored when Johnston High School upheld its storied tradition of having a special sendoff for those players who graduated from the program turning in three or four years of outstanding performances.