Big-game hunting in Rhode Island

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The New England high school football regular season gets underway Thursday, when the season kicks off in Rhode Island. There are several intriguing RIIL contests this weekend, but two stand out from the others: North Kingstown at La Salle Academy, and East Greenwich at Burrillville. Both games will be played Friday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"textAlign":"center"}}} --> <p class="has-text-align-center"><strong>North Kingstown at La Salle</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These teams figure to be two of the contenders for this year's Division I title. The Skippers beat the Rams 21-20 during Week 3 of the regular season last year, but La Salle steadied itself and advanced to the Division I championship game. Although this matchup is being played in September, the atmosphere should have a postseason feel.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"textAlign":"center"}}} --> <p class="has-text-align-center"><strong>East Greenwich at Burrillville</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Burrillville is back in Division II after spending two seasons competing at the Division I level. The Broncos have added lights, and will play home games on Friday nights for the first time in the program's history. Many consider East Greenwich to be among the favorites in Division III this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are five players to keep an eye on is these two matchups:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2111513"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a971b8a9b7f9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Widely considered to be the top running back in the state, Stafford rushed for 1,605 yards and 22 touchdowns on 169 carries last season. He had 113 yards rushing and a TD, and also returned the second-half kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown during North Kingstown's 22-21 victory over LaSalle in 2025. That was one of eight games in which he ran for at least 100 yards last year. Stafford also had three 200-yard games last season, including a five-touchdowns performance against Barrington when he gained 254 yards. He has offers from Rhode Island and Merrimack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":2366892,"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a971b8a9b84f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">At 280-pounds, Green is a two-way tackle who will anchor Burrillville offensive line. He has performed against Division I competition in each of the last two seasons, so he's primed to be a dominant lineman now that Burrillville is back in Division II. Green has quick feet and excellent athleticism, which typically allows him to remain between the player he's blocking and the defender. He excels at pass blocking.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1271339"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a971b8a9b899"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Moseley is a versatile athlete who was a Second Team All-State selection as a defensive back last season, but should also excel as a wide receiver in 2026. Moseley is also a track standout, but has accepted an offer to play football at Connecticut. Syracuse, James Madison, Florida Atlantic, New Haven and Army are among the other schools that offered or showed strong interest in his football ability. His No. 1 asset may be his speed. Moseley took an official visit to LSU for track before committing to Connecticut.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":2369986,"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a971b8a9b8dc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bradshaw made a name for himself during the 2024 season, when he became only the second freshman quarterback to start for East Greenwich since John George became the program's head coach in 2010. Bradshaw is more of a passer than a runner, and he's a terrific human interest story since he was diagnosed with profound hearing loss after his first birthday and uses cochlear implants to help communicate with coaches and teammates. He's got plenty of talent to help the Avengers move the ball though the air.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":2370444,"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a971b8a9b91c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cardoso caught 30 passes for 749 yards and 10 touchdowns for St. Raphael last season, and will be one of the many playmakers on the La Salle offense this season. Cardoso is fast and good at making defenders miss. He could be at his best when he has the ball in his hands, and was a First Team All-State selection as a kick returner last season. Cardoso has announced an offer from North Carolina.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->