The City of Cranston was always known for its football powerhouses. As proof, three well-known residents made up half of the Providence Gridiron Club’s Class of 2011 for the dinner social group’s Hall of Fame.

The late Joe Almonte, former mayor Mike Traficante and Steve Jutras were among the six people honored during last week’s induction dinner that was held at the Quonset ‘O’ Club in North Kingstown.

For 67 years the Providence Gridiron Club has promoted football, starting youth leagues and going through high school, college and the professional leagues. It has inducted over 262 men into its Hall of Fame, which began back in 1971.

Joe Almonte was inducted posthumously and his son Joe accepted the award in his father’s behalf.

Almonte lived in Cranston but was with his family in Warwick until his passing in 2000. He was All-State at Cranston High before it became East. He played for the legendary Ed Stebbins and went to URI, where played football and was a key member of the 1955 undefeated team who played in the Refrigerator Bowl at Evansville, Ind.

He also was an assistant coach at Hendricken, Warwick Vets and Cranston. He retired as Colonel in the Army in active duty and also served in the reserves.

For Traficante, this was his fifth induction into a Hall of Fame.

He grew up in Cranston and was All-State in football and wrestling at Cranston High. He also played football for four years at URI and was commissioner as a second lieutenant in the ROTC program. He served with Army’s Third Infantry Division and finished his military career as a captain.

Traficante started coaching in the Army in 1962 for his company team. He then worked as an assistant coach in football and wrestling at East. He took over both sports as head coach and, in football, he won three Class A Large titles and a state crown.

In wrestling, his team won the Met Division title three times and landed one state crown. He later coached wrestling at Hendricken during a state title run and was a huge part of the success of the annual state wrestling tourney. Traficante also coached with the Edgewood Eagles and spent 11 years in the classroom.

Back in 1975 he became vice principal and later went into administration. He began his political career in 1979 and was elected City Council president. In 1985 he was elected mayor and was re-elected three times.

Steve Jutras had an extraordinary football career in the mid 1960’s. He was a huge part of Cranston East compiling a 28-2 record under Stebbins from 1963 to 1965. East won the Met Division co-championship twice and one division title outright with a 10-0 record. Jutras, who was a running back, was named All-State and all-division.

He was also a three-year star in football at Holly Cross. He was the Crusaders’ top offensive player and gained honorable mention All-East and All-New England as a junior.

He later had a free agency tryout with the San Francisco 49ers but turned it down to go into the military. He also worked as a backfield coach at Cranston East.

Also Inducted into the Hall of Fame were Ed Gilmartin III, Joseph Schwab and Gerry Caito.