Rhode Island
Eric Rueb comes up with an easy fix for football realignment in his Week 7 football picks column
Blitz Breakdown: Who could go to RI high school football super bowl?
RI Blitz Breakdown, a Providence Journal WPRI partnership, takes a look at the big plays, games and all things high school football.
Someone call the Rhode Island Interscholastic League. Reach out to all the football-playing schools in Rhode Island.
I’ve figured out the perfect fix for the upcoming realignment and there won’t have to be 20 unnecessary meetings to rule on it.
There’s been plenty wrong with the last few realignments, but in the advent of the RPI era – something that’s not going away – it seems easier than ever to fix. Doing that requires more common sense and less formulas based on bad math (and tears from big schools that carry weight in these meetings) and ideas from someone who actually cares about high school football.
While the math is confusing, the RPI has changed how the regular season runs for the better while making absolutely no sense as far as the playoff goes.
With the Rueb Plan – patent pending – we’re going to fix that and have a realignment that forces teams to play exactly where they should.
First, we’re ditching the divisional playoffs and having actual State Championships. Since every state that uses RPI also uses a classified postseason, that’s what we’ll do. The four categories are obvious – Private, Large, Medium and Small. You’ll compete for titles against like competition. Now the onus is on you to win.
We’re not going to use a formula to figure out the divisions. We’re going to use this thing called common sense.
That means in Division I we’ll let Barrington and Burrillville drop, replaced by schools that are twice as big (if not more) than both – East Providence and Pawtucket. Don’t like it? Then fix the culture in your communities.
Division II will see a few new faces – Johnston is trending up and needs to be here; Classical is forever a D-II.5 team, so it’s up; and Cranston East is moving to D-II because a school that size should be embarrassed to be in D-III.
Who are the newcomers in D-III? Toll Gate is moving up because it’s too big to be in D-IV and hopefully it passes on this and does what the community wants – joining forces with Pilgrim to form a Warwick co-op.
Lincoln is moving down only because Sean Cavanagh deserves a regular season where he doesn’t have to try to win games just by out-coaching people. Middletown’s also moving down strictly on school size. We’ll move Davies up because it’s becoming an elite program and Smithfield is moving up because it should have done so two years ago.
Division IV will be reserved for small schools and programs that can’t get off the ground. The small schools will get to play like competition while still getting a chance to play in the postseason. Larger schools in the division will get a chance to win some games, but making the playoffs will prove to be difficult because of how the RPI works.
Why will this plan work? Because it gives teams a chance to win titles that actually matter. If you go undefeated and win a title below Division I, did you really win a championship? Or were you just placed in the wrong division in the right year?
Trust the plan. It will work – and I should know because I’ve never been wrong.
Speaking of that, let’s get on to the picks.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23
South Kingstown vs. Pawtucket, 6 p.m.
I’ve been in Pawtucket the last two Thursdays, decided to not go for the hat trick this week. I’ll handle tennis playoffs and soccer and will let Jake Rousseau handle this low-scoring affair.
THE PICK: Rebels
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24
Hope at North Smithfield, 5 p.m.
Ready for the easiest advertising partnership of all time? Every time the Northmen put a 40-burger up on the scoreboard, Beef Barn gives away a burger to fans at the game. I swear I need one of these school districts to hire me as a marketing director.
THE PICK: Northmen
Moses Brown at East Providence, 6 p.m.
Plenty of public school coaches worry about playing games at private schools and losings kids after they see their campuses and facilities. This might be the only case where it’s the opposite.
THE PICK: Townies
Central Falls vs. Middletown, 6 p.m.
You want to get crazy? If the Middletown concession stand is going to have fried turkey on Thanksgiving, I’m there. No questions ask (don’t tell my wife, she’ll be angry).
THE PICK: Warriors
Pilgrim at Johnston, 6 p.m.
The fact not a single breakfast joint in Johnston town limits has offered Nate Della Morte and Nick Testa an NIL deal is insane. They might be the most popular 1-2 punch in all of high school football and the O-linmen are more than deserving of a “pancake deal” somewhere.
THE PICK: Panthers
Lincoln at North Providence, 6 p.m.
Michael Tuorto has quietly become one of the state’s great coaches. It’s not always about Xs and Os. He understands how to market his program – last week’s Gold Rush uniforms were insane – and it has made football as popular as its ever been.
THE PICK: Panthers
North Kingstown at Barrington, 6:15 p.m.
Maybe not the game I would have chosen to open up my brand new field to the community, but sometimes the schedule takes decisions like that out of people’s hands.
THE PICK: Skippers
Davies vs. Toll Gate, 6:30 p.m.
I can already see Henry Cabral telling his team that nobody’s thinking about Davies, everybody’s in on North Smithfield and Narragansett and in a month we’re going to be wondering how the Patriots went back-to-back.
THE PICK: Patriots
St. Raphael at Cumberland, 7 p.m.
Everything that could have gone wrong for the Clippers has and while coach Matt LaRoche is doing a great job in his rookie season, it’s also clear that replacing Josh Lima isn’t going to be as easy as some of the people in the town thought it would be.
THE PICK: Saints
Rogers at East Greenwich, 7 p.m.
If this game was at 6 p.m. I would have been there only because my daughter swears up and down that the cinnamon sugar pretzels at EG’s concession stand are the best thing she’s ever eaten.
THE PICK: Avengers
Coventry at Woonsocket, 7 p.m.
Parents, if your kid does something that draws a flag because it’s against the rules and your instinct is to DM The Journal reporter and say “well this kid from another school did it and he didn’t get a penalty” then I’ve got bad, bad news for you – you’re not doing your job as a parent. Accountability matters in sports and in life.
THE PICK: Villa Novans
Barnstable (MA) at La Salle, 7 p.m.
I just need everyone to remember that Jake Rousseau is beating me in The Journal picks competition because he picks against Rhode Island schools because he doesn’t like them while I’ve been picking every RI team when they play out-of-state opponents out of sheer loyalty to the Ocean State.
THE PICK: Rams
Exeter-West Greenwich at Smithfield, 7 p.m.
Thing to keep an eye out for – had one coach tell me “if there’s a team nobody wants to see in the playoffs, it’s Exeter-West Greenwich.” I’m not leaning on the Scarlet Knights this week, but don’t be shocked if they catch someone lacking.
THE PICK: Sentinels
Mount Pleasant at West Warwick, 7 p.m.
After this week the Wizards will be 0-3 against teams with a winning record and 4-0 against teams with a losing record and I’m still struggling to figure out what that means but we’ll find out in the season finale on Halloween.
THE PICK: Wizards
Burrillville at Westerly, 7 p.m.
This is my favorite game on the calendar. Two communities that love high school football and have no business playing in the divisions they’re in while much larger schools falter in lower divisions. Every community should strive to be this.
THE PICK: Bulldogs
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25
Narragansett at Scituate, 11 a.m.
Somehow the Mariners lost to North Smithfield but remained ahead of them in the standings, which means Narragansett will be going up against North Smithfield or Davies in the Super Bowl.
THE PICK: Mariners
Cranston East vs. Mt. Hope, 12 p.m.
The grass at Kickemuit Middle School looked OK in Week 1 but I can’t imagine what it’s like now – and I’m guessing that’s OK for the team that’s playing on it.
THE PICK: Huskies
Central at Cranston West, 1 p.m.
How this game goes down depends on the Knights. If Central shows up trying to build momentum for the Consolation Playoffs that will help the team get some steam heading into 2026, it wins big. If the Knights are mentally checked out, the Falcons will roll.
THE PICK: Knights
Chariho at Portsmouth, 1:30 p.m.
This is the game that could ultimately cost the Patriots a chance to host a playoff game. Portsmouth would almost be better off letting the Chargers win in order to help their win percentage.
THE PICK: Patriots
Classical at Ponaganset, 6:30 p.m.
I’m covering six cross country meets on Saturday but I’ll be damned if that’s going to stop me from covering a Super Bowl rematch between two undefeated teams. French fries at concessions better be ready to go.
THE PICK: Purple
The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at May 10, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Numbers numbers from May 10 drawing
Midday: 9-9-9-0
Evening: 5-5-0-9
Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Wild Money numbers from May 10 drawing
01-13-14-16-32, Extra: 02
Check Wild Money payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from May 10 drawing
01-03-20-35-46, Bonus: 05
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize
- Prizes less than $600 can be claimed at any Rhode Island Lottery Retailer. Prizes of $600 and above must be claimed at Lottery Headquarters, 1425 Pontiac Ave., Cranston, Rhode Island 02920.
- Mega Millions and Powerball jackpot winners can decide on cash or annuity payment within 60 days after becoming entitled to the prize. The annuitized prize shall be paid in 30 graduated annual installments.
- Winners of the Millionaire for Life top prize of $1,000,000 a year for life and second prize of $100,000 a year for life can decide to collect the prize for a minimum of 20 years or take a lump sum cash payment.
When are the Rhode Island Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky for Life: 10:30 p.m. ET daily.
- Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. ET daily.
- Numbers (Midday): 1:30 p.m. ET daily.
- Numbers (Evening): 7:29 p.m. ET daily.
- Wild Money: 7:29 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Rhode Island editor. You can send feedback using this form.
Watch: Khano Smith speaks with media after RIFC drew Tampa Bay
Watch as Khano Smith speaks with media after RIFC drew Tampa Bay
PAWTUCKET — JJ Williams finally had his space and rose to the opportunity.
The Rhode Island FC striker, deep in the attacking zone, came back to a cross and headed Nick Scardina’s service to the near post to salvage the night for Rhode Island. Williams’ goal landed in the 86th minute to draw Tampa Bay Rowdies, 1-1, in rain-soaked Pawtucket.
It’s the third draw in USL Championship play for Rhode Island at Centreville Bank Stadium this season. RIFC was turning in a familiar performance before snagging the tie against the league-leading Rowdies as Williams supplied his third regular-season goal of the year. The draw is the first time RIFC has earned a result after the opposition opened the scoring since its 1-1 tie vs. Birmingham Legion FC on July 5, 2025.
Rhode Island now travels to USL League One side Portland Hearts of Pine for its second game of the 2026 Prinx Tires USL Cup group stage on Saturday, May 16 at 4 p.m. The club returns to Pawtucket on May 23 against Brooklyn FC.
“All night they made it tough because they were doubling,” Williams said of Tampa Bay. “And wherever I went to, they were going contact first, especially in this league with no [Video Assistant Referee] … but on that one, the ball was so good that they spun around, and then I was able to make good contact.”
Rhode Island had a string of missed chances in the first 15 minutes that fed into a goal for Tampa Bay and then a triple substitution in the second half that provided little spark. Max Schneider’s cross from right of the box found Pedro Dolabella at the far post for a clinical header in the 29th minute in front of an announced attendance of 6,790.
The game’s first score came just 10 minutes after attempts from Hugo Bacharach and Jojea Kwizera were saved and Williams sailed an open shot past the bar.
“We tried to correct some of those things that we struggled with last week,” Williams said. “Getting to the ball, making tackles, making a stick, I think that we weren’t as clean in possession as we would have been, especially as we won the ball and played forward. We had a lot of turnovers in the first half where we could have seen more chances, but we did well to weather the storm early and create some. But for me, I [have] to bury that first one.”
Rhode Island creates plenty of chances — it is tied for fourth with 112 attempts — but has just 12 goals this season. If it had finished one of the early chances against Tampa Bay, it would’ve shifted the tenor of the match and forced the visitors to play outside of its form. But the final scoring sequence is still missing with the summer months coming soon.
“Happy with the spirit, happy with the effort, happy with the fight,” RIFC coach Khano Smith said. “You’ve seen that a lot with our team. They just fought to the end, never gave up, kept pushing. Ultimately, it’s two more points dropped at home, and we need to find a way to stop doing that. We need to be ruthless – just ruthless in front of the goal.”
The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at May 9, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from May 9 drawing
15-41-46-47-56, Powerball: 22, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Numbers numbers from May 9 drawing
Midday: 0-8-9-5
Evening: 0-9-4-7
Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Wild Money numbers from May 9 drawing
08-13-24-27-34, Extra: 32
Check Wild Money payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from May 9 drawing
08-11-17-29-49, Bonus: 02
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize
- Prizes less than $600 can be claimed at any Rhode Island Lottery Retailer. Prizes of $600 and above must be claimed at Lottery Headquarters, 1425 Pontiac Ave., Cranston, Rhode Island 02920.
- Mega Millions and Powerball jackpot winners can decide on cash or annuity payment within 60 days after becoming entitled to the prize. The annuitized prize shall be paid in 30 graduated annual installments.
- Winners of the Millionaire for Life top prize of $1,000,000 a year for life and second prize of $100,000 a year for life can decide to collect the prize for a minimum of 20 years or take a lump sum cash payment.
When are the Rhode Island Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky for Life: 10:30 p.m. ET daily.
- Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. ET daily.
- Numbers (Midday): 1:30 p.m. ET daily.
- Numbers (Evening): 7:29 p.m. ET daily.
- Wild Money: 7:29 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Rhode Island editor. You can send feedback using this form.
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