Sports 06-29-2016

Cicatelli honored to coach in Agganis Football Classic

Story and Photos by Cary Shuman

Lou Cicatelli played football at Revere High and worked in the school’s athletic program that was led by the late Silvio Cella, who was a teammate of Harry Agganis at Boston University.

Cicatelli said he is honored to be coaching in the game that is named for the legendary Lynn Classical star. Cicatelli will be coaching the South Team in the 55th Harry Agganis Football Classic on Thursday, June 30 at Manning Field.

“I grew up watching the Agganis Football Game every year so I’ve known of its significance for a long time,” said Cicatelli. “I’m always honored when they ask me to be a coach in the game. They [The Agganis Committee] do a great job with all the games during the week and what they do for student-athletes with the college scholarships is so admirable.”

Cicatelli’s South assistant coaching staff consists of Jose Escobar, Vin Gregorio, Don Heres, Scott Vlasic, Dan DeCristoforo, and Paul Norton. Interestingly, Heres is the athletic director and head football coach at Northeast Regional. DeCristoforo is the brother of Revere girls basketball coach Diana DeCristoforo Finn.

Escobar, one of Revere High’s greatest running backs, played in the Agganis Game in 2006. He started at defensive back in the game.

Three Revere High football players, Pho Tran, Brandon Brito, and Steve Noel are on the South roster.

Cicatelli has been holding South team practices at the new Harry Della Russo Stadium.

Jim DelGaizo, who was a standout quarterback for Revere High School before going on to play quarterback at the University of Tampa and for the undefeated 1972 Miami Dolphins in the National Football League, was a guest speaker at last Friday’s practice. DelGaizo and and former RHS star athlete and former police detective Mickey “Say No To Drugs” Casoli delivered separate speeches to the players about the dangers of drug abuse and the importance of “saying no to drugs.”

Zwicker to swim in fundraiser

Dan Zwicker of Revere has joined Swim Across America (SAA) to make a splash for pediatric cancer programs at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and MassGeneral Hospital for Children Cancer Center. Zwicker will swim in the 20th annual Boston Harbor Swim on July 8, alongside Olympians Carlton Bruner, Janel Jorgensen McArdle, Kristy Kowal, Heather Petri, Craig Beardsley, and Erik Vendt.

 “The Boston Harbor swim is a great way for people to come together and participate in a sport they love alongside Olympic swimming legends while raising critical funds for pediatric programs at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and at MassGeneral Hospital for Children Cancer Center,” says 1988 Olympic Silver Medalist Janel Jorgensen McArdle.

 The SAA Boston Harbor swim is a 22-mile relay style open-water swim beginning at 7 a.m. on July 8 from Rowes Wharf behind the Boston Harbor Hotel. A minimum fundraising pledge of $1,500 is required for individuals to participate in this all-day event.

 Swim Across America is a non-profit organization that runs events from Boston to San Francisco to support cancer research at the country’s finest hospitals and institutions. At SAA, money raised locally stays local, ensuring that swimmers always know they are making an impact in their respective communities. Proceeds from the Boston-area swims benefit the David B. Perini, Jr. Quality of Life Clinic at Dana-Farber. For more information, go to www.swimacrossamerica.org/boston.

Lady Pats play in tourney

The Revere Lady Pats played in the Somerset Tourney this past weekend. The girls played a tough Rhode Island team, which went back and forth.  All game pitchers Santaniello and LeBlanc pitched well, but a few errors hurt the team in game 1.

In game 2,  again the Revere pitchers were unhittable. The bats and gloves showed up. The game was over in five innings.

The third game was against a team that the Revere girls have beaten over the years.  This game was a tough one.  In bottom of seventh and down by one and with one out, Jordan Sullivan singled and Kiana Napolitano singled. Dion came up next and hit it hard to get Kiana to second base and Jordan was able to cross home plate. Now tied up, Kiana steals third base and 13-year old Jenna Cobb reached home the winning run.

Sunday’s game started at 8 a.m., and the pitching again was great as the Revere girls won the game.

In Game 5, playing a Rhode Island team with a pitcher throwing 60 mph,  Amanda Crawford hit a home run over the fence deep in left field, Taylor and Jordan Sullivan followed with back-to-back doubles next inning.  LeBlanc, Kiana and Brammer had base hits.

The Revere lead-off  hitter Iannalfo and second batter Gia caused havoc on the bases while Cobb put the bat on the ball. Dani Dion had some key bunts and the girls won a tough one.

The semifinal game came after a 3 and a half hour wait. Again, the pitchers were good and the bats were good but too many errors hurt the cause.

 The Lady Pats lost by one in the last inning of a very long 11-hour day from start to finish. The coaches are very proud of this talented team.

The next tournament is in Hampton Beach, New Hampshire in July.

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.