By Ron P. Coderre

This week’s RPC sporty shoutout is sent along to former Putnam High School athlete Marc Clemens.  The former furniture-moving mogul recently retired from the back-breaking industry.  He now spends his spare time on the links and playing in friendly card games with his former high school amigos.

In what was a surprising but not shocking announcement last week, word seeped out of Putnam that the Quinebaug Valley Pride and Killingly High School Thanksgiving Day football game is no longer.  The news in the eyes of many was long overdue.

The two disparate football programs are headed in different directions.  Killingly High School under coach Chad Neal has resurrected and revitalized the Redmen’s football fortunes.  That fact is evident by the 10-2 record posted the last two seasons and the consecutive trips to the CIAC Class M Postseason Football Tournament.

Meanwhile the Quinebaug Valley Pride, composed of players from Putnam High School, Tourtellotte Memorial High School and H.H. Ellis Technical School, has been having difficulty picking up wins of late.  The fact that Killingly has posted lopsided victories in six of the last seven games between the foes, dating back to 2011, has created a buzz among both Putnam and Killingly loyal fans.

Following Killingly’s 40-8 victory over the Pride in 2015, my telephone rang minutes after the game.  The voice on the other end of the phone was that of a former Putnam Clipper and very respected gentleman who had traveled a long distance to witness what he remembered as the Killingly – Putnam football rivalry.  He was distraught not only by the result of the game but also by what he witnessed on the field as “men against boys.”

As a truism, since Putnam disbanded its football program due to lack of numbers and the fact that the school has an enrollment of less than 300 students, there is no football rivalry between Killingly and Putnam on the gridiron.

Back to the voice on the phone.  Paraphrasing his words, “We need to do something about Putnam High School football.  I was embarrassed by that game this morning.  Why, the Putnam (QVP) team was out of the game right from the opening kick.  The score could have been 100-0.”

He was probably correct, witness what happened in the most recent game – Killingly 63-14.

Having been away from Putnam for a number of years, this gentleman just simply didn’t understand there was no longer a rivalry.  Putnam, let’s face it former Clipper football fans, unfortunately doesn’t have a football team any longer.

Putting together a football team called the Quinebaug Valley Pride seems like a near impossibility for coach Joe Asermelly.  How do you coordinate getting players together every day for practice on time when they’re coming from three different locations?  How do you prepare kids from three different schools for competition on Friday night or Saturday afternoon? 

How do you engender a spirit of enthusiasm when some of the players identify as Tigers, Golden Eagles or Clippers?  My hat is off to coach Asermelly for the job he does and the limited success he’s had with the program.

There was a time, not so long ago in the minds of many, that Thanksgiving morning football was a “friendly rivalry” between the Clippers and the Redmen.  Old grads from both schools would gather in Putnam or Killingly, reminisce and enjoy the game with some good-natured chiding.

There was a time, when either school would enter the contest with a losing record but the thousands lined sometimes five or six deep around the perimeter of the field, knew there was going to be a competitive game on the frozen turf.  Maybe even an upset.

Those days are gone folks.  And it appears that for the time being, it’s the correct decision.

Get accustomed to the QVP vs. Thames River or whomever Thanksgiving Day game.  The crowd won’t be five or six deep.  The tradition will be missing.  It’s no longer Killingly vs. Putnam.  Those days and the days of the huge crowds and the rivalry are long gone.

Boston Celtics in The House…

Who would have ever envisioned someone from the Boston Celtics appearing in Putnam to watch a basketball game?  Well it happened on Thursday, December 8 when Danny Ainge, who had contacted coach Tom Espinosa prior to the game, was on hand for the Putnam Science Academy – Navy Prep game.

According to all reports, Ainge didn’t ask for any special treatment.  He sat on the hard wooden benches that surround the tiny PSA bandbox gym, just like every other fans.  Although he was interested in the action on the court, he was cordial to those who wanted autographs or photo-ops or simply wanted to say hello.

He was on hand to see Putnam Science Academy’s highly heralded Hamidou Diallo, who of late has been in coach Espinosa’s doghouse.  Ainge was fortunate.  Diallo enjoyed considerable time on the court as opposed to the game against Commonwealth Academy.  In that game, with UConn coach Kevin Ollie on hand for the same reason as Ainge, Diallo played less than two minutes and was less than sterling on the court.

Congratulations…

Pomfret School honored one of its female players prior to its recent game against Loomis-Chaffee.  Deja Ross, who’s been a steady and talented player for the Lady Griffins, was honored for reaching the 1000-point plateau in her prep school basketball career.  Ross, who is from Providence, has accumulated her points while playing at Pomfret and the Lincoln School, where she started prior to transferring.

When the award was presented, it was also announced that Ross had accepted a scholarship to Xavier University in Ohio, where she’ll compete in the Big East Conference.  Playing in college for a Division I team and in the Big East has always been Ross’ dream.      

Bianchi Watch…

Former Killingly High School women’s basketball standout Meagan Bianchi continues to shine on the basketball court at University of Connecticut – Avery Point.  Bianchi, who is the point guard for the Pointers, is averaging in double figures and is the NJCAA Division III assists leader.

Bianchi is averaging an astounding 8.3 assists per contest for 8-3 Avery Point.  Her teammate Tatyana LaFrance-Boyce, who is the beneficiary of many of those assists, leads the NJCAA Division III point leader, averaging a phenomenal 32.5 points per game.

Woodstock Warrior Honored…

Eastern Connecticut State University junior Emily Becher, who played soccer at Woodstock Academy, continues to pile on the soccer honors.  Becher was recently named to the NSCAA Division III All-New England Region Team.  This is the third time Becher has been recognized with this honor.

RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: “Having the capacity to lead is not enough.  The leader must be willing to use it.” Vince Lombardi

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