SOUTH KINGSTOWN — Chris Ciarniello stained his white jersey a cardinal red. Brayden Rosen extended the final drive until there was nothing left for South Kingstown.
The two juniors — Ciarniello, a defensive stalwart for North Kingstown, and Rosen, SK’s championship-winning quarterback — share more in common than they know. Ciarniello exited the first half with a deep cut on his right hand that would’ve destined most for a hospital trip before Thanksgiving dinner is served. And Rosen nearly turned Wednesday night into a classic at the University of Rhode Island’s Meade Stadium.
Ciarniello delayed his trip to South County Hospital with a Frankenstein wrap. His clubbed hand also turned red by game’s end, but his teammates needed him. While Rosen was forced into the shotgun and made plays he wasn’t asked to do all season, until his seniors were on their last possession. Playing for your teammates in their last game, for some, ever, that’s as much a Thanksgiving Day football tradition as the match itself.
“It’s just important to send off the seniors, they had a great four years here, send them off the right way with the win and that’s what we did today,” Ciarniello said.
Ethan Machado dashed South Kingstown’s hopes with an interception near the Skippers’ sideline, it sealed a 19-15 final, and North Kingstown’s eighth straight win in the annual rivalry game.
“We really would’ve like to come out with a win today, but we can’t forget about how good of a season we had,” Rosen said. “We only had two losses the whole year, both to Division I teams. It was definitely a good season, but it does leave a little sour taste in your mouth.”
South Kingstown leads the all-time series, which dates to 1946, 16-15. The rivalry game was played seven times between 1946-1954, before going on a near five-decade hiatus. It was reignited in 2000 and NK holds a 14-10 record since the turn of the millennium.
“It’s just the environment of playing on Thanksgiving,” NK senior, Gian Iacuele said. “Every year it’s just in our minds, we always do it and we’re so used to playing. Today was a little weird [with the game being moved to Wednesday], but we came together and got the win.
“It’s crazy here. Just looking around, and even if the stands aren’t full, it’s just a crazy experience. I’ve never felt anything like [playing at Meade].”
South Kingstown forced a three-and-out with 1:10 left in regulation and needed 79 yards to win. Rosen, forced out of SK’s run game that led the Rebels to the top seed in their league and a 29-0 win over West Warwick in the D-II championship, led the Rebels across midfield. Rolling to his right and facing pressure on fourth-and-10, Rosen delivered a heave to Tyler Denecour for 16 yards to the 50.
He raced to the line to spike with 40 seconds left and then got SK to the Skipper 41 with a completion to Declan Friedt. But on the next play, Machado, a freshman, jumped Rosen’s pass to hold off the Rebels.
“It means so much to us to play on Thanksgiving,” Iacuele said. “To start off the season slow and finish at 7-3, it feels great, and beating a Division II championship team.”
South Kingstown only had Monday and Tuesday to prepare for the game after Sunday’s championship vs. the Wizards. North’s preparation time was just 24 hours more after the Skippers topped Burrillville in the Division I title game on Saturday.
It doesn’t matter though. Ciarniello played with one hand and Rosen would’ve suited up the next day if he had to. Their teams would’ve followed the lead, but they also don’t need encouragement.
North and South Kingstown play football on Thanksgiving Day and it needs no explanation.
“We had a short week of practice, but I think everyone was excited for the game,” Rosen said. “We knew it was going to be a battle this year, and we got to play on this amazing field. I think it adds a little bit to the excitement.”
“I was doing everything I could to get back in there,” Ciarniello said. “It was a great game, meaningful game, with all the fans here and all the alumni on the sideline.”
First quarter
NK: Anthony Parry 73 pass from Jack Diano (kick no good), 10:21
SK: Tyler Denecour 12 pass from Brayden Rosen (Kai Sorlien kick), 1:30
Second quarter
NK: Nickolas Stafford 2 rush (Liam Kennett kick), 4:48
Third quarter
SK: Denecour 40 pass from Rosen (Dante Peno 2-point conversion), 10:11
NK: Gian Iacuele 39 pass from Diano (2-point no good), 4:37
jrousseau@providencejournal.com
On X: @ByJacobRousseau
