Burrillville Rallies to Host Football Game Despite Cold

November 22, 2018 12:35 pm

By: Scott Cook

Twitter: @SCookABC6

BURRILLVILLE, R.I. (WLNE) — It was a very chilly Thanksgiving morning in Burrillville, when Burrillville High School and Ponaganset High School squared off in football, and it took some help from the community the previous night to kick the game off.

Fans, players, and coaches were thankful for the supplies donated to them, as they battled frigid temperatures on the football field.

“We ended up with 15 heaters, 5 generators, 20 propane tanks, like 20 extension cords,” explained Burrillville head coach, Gennaro Ferraro.

Those supplies were much needed, as strong and consistent winds made temperatures feel much colder than the 14 degrees at kickoff.

“The coaches were here late last night, firing them all up, making sure they worked,” said Burrillville parent, Cindy Strode.

“The whole community pretty much came together so we can still have this game today.”

It wasn’t just the players and fans trying to stay warm, so too were the cheerleaders.

“It’s really hard for these kids, they’re trying their best to stay warm,” said Anna Gauthier, head cheer coach at Burrillville High.

“We’re super grateful for the town that brought everything together today to keep the kids warm and safe.”

The temperatures affected the games attendance, while the wind didn’t allow for senior day posters.

“I’m a little disappointed we couldn’t hang the posters – we’ve got life–sized posters of all the football players and cheerleaders who are seniors,” explained Strode.

Nonetheless, the game went on, all thanks to a tight–knit community, who proved to be tougher than the weather.

“This town has real salt of the earth people, and I’m really proud to be part of this community,” said coach Ferraro.