By BRENDAN McGAIR

Sports writer

WARWICK – Tolman laid the hammer down in this one early, torching Warwick Vets for 34 first quarter points en route to a 34-0 trouncing Friday evening. The victory enables the Tigers to keep their faint playoffs alive, improving to 2-3 in Division II-A.
As head coach Dave Caito noted afterwards, the Tigers, at this juncture of the season, find themselves in a begging position, hoping the four teams positioned ahead of them in the standings – West Warwick, Mt. Hope, Westerly and Woonsocket – take a tumble.
“I told the kids that we needed to win the next three games, including Friday, to even have a shot,” said Caito. “We need to run the table and hope for a few things because we’re not in control of our own destiny.”
Tolman, which didn’t play last week after its non-leaguer with East Providence was canceled, suffocated winless Warwick Vets by showing sheer domination on both sides of the ball. The Hurricanes, now 0-5 in league play, tried to throw the Tigers for a loop on the game’s opening kickoff. Tolman, however, recovered the onsides kick with relative ease before turning its attention to lighting up the scoreboard.
Ousmane Samb sprinted 15 yards for Tolman’s first score, two plays after breaking off a 27-yard gallop. A three-and-out by Warwick Vets gave way to a 64-yard scamper by Tolman quarterback Jahmel Bowman, who took full advantage of shoddy tackling by the Hurricanes on his way to a 64-yard score.
The Hurricanes, down 14-0 at the 7:17 mark of the opening quarter, saw its next offensive series end with the Tigers expanding their lead. Senior captain Kevin Duffy pounced on the loose ball and rumbled 40 yards to daylight. The rout was officially on with the Tigers enjoying a 20-0 cushion with still 6:54 to go.
“Duffy did a great job scooping that ball up, which is something we preach,” said Caito.
Far from through, Jordan Johnson broke into scoring column with a 55-yard score, one play after Bowman intercepted Warwick quarterback Christopher Fraser.
The final score of a productive first quarter, and turns out the game, came when Samb rushed for four yards right up the middle, the drive starting at the Vets 8 after a punt attempt went awry.
“We’re playing better football, which is the goal at this point,” said Caito, whose crew welcomes Mt. Hope to Pariseau Field next Friday. “ 
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Tolman         34 0 0 0 – 34
Warwick Vets        0 0 0 0 – 0
T – Ousmane Samb 15 run (Kevin Poirier kick)
T – Jahmel Bowman 64 run (Poirier kick)
T – Kevin Duffy 40 fumble recovery (kick failed)
T – Jordan Johnson 55 run (Poirier kick)
T – Samb 4 run (Porier kick)