By Russ Waterman
MaxPreps.com
The ranks of the undefeated dwindled after last weekend's action. Now La Salle Academy in Division 1, Westerly (Division 2A), Tiverton and Ponaganset (Division 3) and Hope and Exeter-West Greenwich (Division 4) all remain perfect.
La Salle Prevails Against Canadian Foe
After a convincing 49-12 win over Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada La Salle stands alone as the only Division 1 team without a loss. Playing under American rules, the Rams controlled both ends against the Mohawks (4-3), a Tier 2 team in Alberta, and forged ahead 35-0, at the half.
Kendell Perry was nearly unstoppable as the Rams starting offensive and defensive lines were in control throughout. By intermission the senior running back had carried 10 times for 97 yards and scored twice on runs of 8 and 17 yards (with two long runs called back due to penalties). Quarterback Joe Charest had scurried in for a 14-yard TD and Damon DiVozzi had also scored twice, including a 15-yard strike from Charest.
Medicine Hat was led by the play of speedy wide receiver Mark Friesen, who ran six times for 105 yards and scored the Mohawks only two TDs, one on a 79-yard run and the other after linking up with quarterback Matt Barnes on a 49-yard reception.
"It was a fantastic time," said Mohawk head coach Quinn Skelton, whose team is scheduled to start their playoffs on Tuesday in Canada and had toured Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, New York and Rhode Island.
"I was very impressed with La Salle; they executed brilliantly. They demonstrated that they were a quality team and showed lots of class."
"We can control our destiny now," said Rams head coach Geoff Marcone, in his fifth year at the helm for the Rams. "We knew we were deep at the skill positions."
Marcone noted that it was the offensive line that had some question marks with mostly underclassmen replacing last year's stellar group.
But tackle Tim Bristow, moved from tight end last year as well as Mike Primmer, Kyle DellaGrotta, Peter Keenan and PJ Ashby have developed rapidly.
The Rams' defense has been steady, too.
"Colin Sullivan, our leading tackler, is one of the best linebackers in the state and Luke Bahry, Kyle Bannon and Perry have been strong," Marcone said.
Perry and Gus Delfarno have been the leading ball carriers though it was Perry who ran most of the time against the Mohawks.
"That is the best part about coaching this team. No one cares who gets the most playing time or gets the ball the most; we play as a team," Marcone said.
Charest, who recently accepted a baseball scholarship Fordham University, is the signal caller. He's passed for 500 yards and thrown two touchdowns, rushed for 200 yards and had six scores on the ground. Against Medicine Hat he was 6-for-6 for 132 yards.
"When we were down against Portsmouth he did an excellent job in helping the team keep its poise. He has really grown into the offense and position," Marcone said.
In his fifth year as head coach, Marcone has guided the Rams to playoff appearances every year including two Super Bowl finals. He insists competition is stronger than ever.
"It is wide open in the division," Marcone said. "I think there are at least five teams beside us that can make the playoffs: North Kingstown, Barrington, Portsmouth, Bishop Hendricken and East Providence. And against Cranston West and Rogers is not a week off, either. That is a good thing for high school football here."
Alongside him is his father, Domenic Marcone, acting as a defensive coordinator. The longtime Pilgrim High School coach and athletic administrator had his son play under him at the Warwick school from 1989-92.
Other Rams coaches include John Jendron, Scott Aldrich, Charlie Gibbs, Dave Wright, Bobby Varr, Billie Glad and Justin Cook.
Division 1
A stiff Portsmouth defense carried the Patriots to a 21-7 victory over previously undefeated Barrington.
Andrew Anderson started the scoring with a 30-yard interception runback with Remey Alves and C.J. Martens also scoring on short runs.
Division 2B
Toll Gate righted itself against Lincoln behind a 35-yard run by quarterback Doug Johnson, a throw from Johnson to Joe Richotte and a short run by Joel Haduch.
Division 3
All points were scored in the first half as Tiverton knocked off Narragansett, 20-14, in a thrilling Division 3 confrontation between two unbeaten squads. Pete Smurro rushed for a 13-yard score and Brendan Kenney returned a kickoff for 88 yards.
But the host Tigers responded with 5-yard TD rush by Colby Marks, a short run by Zack Kapstein and a 16-yard reception to Kapstein from quarterback Ryan Flick in the second quarter to put the Tigers in a share of the division lead.
Ponaganset kept pace with a 35-14 triumph over Central. Nick Keeling led the scoring for the Chieftains with TD runs of 48 and 73 yards and Larry Colaluca had an outstanding all-around game while adding two short TD rushes.
Division 4
Exeter-West Greenwich and Hope are on a likely collision course for their Nov. 7 encounter as both squads won again. The Scarlet Knights defeated North Providence, 28-18. Zach Hornoff threw two touchdown passes and ran for two more scores.
Hope and Central Falls scored at least once in each quarter, but the 36 points registered by the big-play offense of the Blue Wave was enough for Hope to remain undefeated in a 48-34 victory. Besides a 77-yard TD run by Fidel Wright (one of three TDs), there were two dazzling scores by Jordan Jeffries, one on a 60-yard punt return and the other an 85-yard interception runback.
Non-League
Division 2A Westerly conquered Division 2B South Kingstown, 14-12, in a battle between two undefeated squads. Mike McLeod for Westerly ran back an interception for a 35-yard score for the Bulldogs and also hauled in a pass later from quarterback Brandon Moore. Zach Wells made two conversion kicks.
Russ Waterman covers Massachusetts and Rhode Island for MaxPreps. He may be reached a rwathoop3@aol.com.
