This fall, MaxPreps and the National Guard will visit high school football rivalries all across the country as we honor what is quite possibly the greatest tradition in sports. We're sending photographers and videographers out to capture the whole rivalry experience between some of the longest standing rivals in the nation.
We get to kick off our second rivalry game in Rhode Island for the North Smithfield vs. Smithfield Rivalry. The
Rivalry Series microsite has all the details and information you'll need to follow this rivalry from start to finish.
North Smithfield vs. Smithfield Rivalry
Former Smithfield coach Chris Branch foresaw his Sentinels making the playoffs in 2015. By doing so, he actually sold his club short. The Sentinels put together a 13-1 season and upended Burrillville 35-20 in the Rhode Island Interscholastic League's Division 4 Super Bowl.
North Smithfield, on the other hand, was forced to cut its 2015 season short after the injury bug took its toll. But they've had fun too. Both schools have bowed out of postseason play with semifinal losses five times since 2004. Had the two rivals won their semifinal games in 2011 and 2014, they would have played each other in state
championship games.
In head-to-head competition, Smithfield upended the Northmen 35-7 in 2004 and won again in 2005 before dropping a 26-6 decision to North Smithfield in 2006. The Sentinels then shut down North Smithfield's offense in 2007, 2008 and 2009, taking the three games by a combined 49-16 margin. North Smithfield won three of the
next four tussles by a 109-59 count.
The rivals split a pair of games in 2014 before the Northmen dropped a 34-0 decision to the Sentinels in 2015 and forfeited the second contest. North Smithfield united with Mount St. Charles Academy in 2016 and dropped a 53-0 decision to Smithfield before the Northmen rebounded with an 18-17 overtime win a year ago.
Having claimed nine of the 15 games played since 2004, Smithfield is ready to punch back after dropping last year's tight contest. North Smithfield, on the other hand, savors the idea of going back-to-back and eventually taking over that modern day lead.
A mob of screaming fans is expected to fill North Smithfield High School Stadium on Friday, September 21 at 7:00 p.m. So grab your friends, and a passerby or two, find your seat and enjoy one of Rhode Island's true black and blue grudge matches.
Smithfield Sentinels
Smithfield High School, home of the Sentinels, is located about seven miles south of North Smithfield High School on Highway 5 in Providence County, Rhode Island. Hosting about 750 football lunatics everyday, Smithfield will compete in Division 3 this fall.
Smithfield coach Cy Butler, who took over for Chris Branch last fall, guided the Sentinels to a 1-7 mark a year ago. Butler's squad almost upended the Northmen in year one of his tenure, but Smithfield dropped an 18-17 overtime decision to North Smithfield. The Sentinels did earn a 35-7 win in 2004 and claimed victory again in
2005.
After dropping a 26-6 decision to the Northmen, Smithfield popped North Smithfield for three straight triumphs beginning in 2007. Smithfield took a 28-7 decision over the Northmen in 2011, and won the second of two games against North Smithfield in 2014, before posting back-to-back shutouts in 2015 and 2016. Standing 9-6 against their despised foe since 2004, the Sentinels have had plenty to boast about recently.
Smithfield, who won its first state football title in 2015, has posted three shutouts of North Smithfield since 2004 and held the Northmen to 10 points or less nine times. Having fallen to their cursed football antagonist last fall, the Sentinels have been scheming, plotting and conspiring gridiron revenge only to realize that a good old
fashion drubbing on the football field will suffice.
North Smithfield Northmen
North Smithfield High School, home of the Northmen, is located about 15 miles northwest of Providence on Highway 146 in Providence County, Rhode Island. With about 500 football-doting fans walking its halls everyday, North Smithfield will compete in Division 4 this fall.
Northmen coach Wesley Pennington, who took over for Tom Ellis in 2010, guided the Northmen to a .500 record or better in each of his first five seasons with North Smithfield. Under Pennington's guidance, the Northmen are 39-46 and qualified for postseason play five straight seasons beginning in 2010. North Smithfield played
beyond the regular season again last fall.
Pennington had instant success in this don't bat an eye, or else…conflict, winning in 2010 and then taking three straight contests beginning in 2012. Although North Smithfield is 6-9 against the Sentinels since 2004, the Northmen did get the last laugh a year ago, winning the conflict's only overtime match since 2004, 18-17. The
Northmen held Smithfield under 10 points four times, and shut them out once,
during that same time frame.
In 2015, the injury bug crippled the Northmen to the point of no return, forcing North Smithfield to cancel part of its schedule. Pennington's club, however, has improved its won-loss record in each of the last two seasons, boosting the program's confidence. After flexing their muscles once again a year ago, and earning a playoff spot, the Northmen are ready to pick on their rivalry peer one more time and take the series over.
Rhode Island National Guard
The Rhode Island National Guard was activated and deployed to the Caribbean to help in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma. Irma left devastating amounts of damage throughout the Leeward Islands, including the U.S. and British Virgin Islands. "Our folks are used to a high operational tempo throughout the year and this type of mission is exactly what we train for, helping others who need assistance immediately," said Col. Daniel Walker, 143rd Airlift Win Commander. "Our men and women remain ready as always, whatever it takes."
Smithfield and North Smithfield fans will be happy to know that after the game,
photos will be available to download
FOR FREE because this game is a
part of our special Rivalry Series program presented by the National
Guard. Check back
here the Monday following the game.
To
learn more about The Battle for the Silver Football and the other teams
who are a part of the 2018 Rivalry Series, check out the
MaxPreps Rivalry Series microsite.
