Will “Townie Pride” allow East Providence High's football team to hang in there against archrival La Salle Academy on Thanksgiving Day at Pierce field? Perhaps spring a huge upset?

Or will the Rams – the top-ranked high school football team in Rhode Island – pin one of the most lopsided losses in the history of the long series on the Townies?

The numbers say the latter. But that's why they play the game.

East Providence is ending one of its most unsuccessful seasons in a long time. With a 2-9 overall and a 1-6 division record this year, the Townies have endured a very long season with some lopsided losses on the ledger.

La Salle, on the other hand, comes into Pierce Memorial Stadium with 9-1 overall record and a 7-0 unbeaten slate in Division I. To date, North Attleboro owns the only win over the Rams; no one in Rhode Island has come close.

The game kicks off at 10 am. By the time the game ends around noon, most of the seniors on both squads will have played for the final time in an organized football game.

La Salle spanked East Providence last year, 34-13, and the year before that as well, 14-6. The overall rivalry stands in La Salle’s favor, 46-35-2. It started in 1929, before the Great Depression.

La Salle will be the home team for tomorrow’s game.