|
Cranston West edges Tolman |
|
|
Sunday, 14 September 2008 |
|
By BRENDAN MCGAIR Sports writer PAWTUCKET – Cue Dennis Green, because in the words of the ex-NFL coach, Tolman High let Cranston West High off the hook Friday night.
Big time.
The Tigers were their own worst enemy at rain-soaked Pariseau Field, committing 10 fumbles while losing three. Unlucky No. 8 occurred in the shadow their own end zone, allowing the Falcons to score the eventual game-winner in a 16-14 win for the visitors.
For three-plus quarters, Tolman was more than holding its own against a team from the state’s upper division. The last half of the final quarter, however, belonged to West. The Falcons were awarded tremendous field position when an exchange between the center and quarterback went awry. West quickly pounced on the live ball to set up shop at the Tolman 1-yard line.
After a failed quarterback sneak, the Falcons’ Jared DiBiase broke through to pull the visitors even at 14. West head coach Steve Stoehr opted to go for two, which the Falcons converted on a Blaine Waterman scamper.
For Tolman, who opens up league play one week from today at West Warwick, it was a case of wrong place, wrong time to give up the ball. “We had them but turnovers killed us,” agreed Tigers mentor Dave Caito. “but as we told the kids, it didn’t count. We took it to [West]; I think we controlled the ball when we wanted to.”
Much like the rain storm, this one went in waves. The Falcons dominated the opening period, running 14 plays and achieving five first downs. Conversely, the Tigers came up with one first down while running just seven plays.
Cranston West scored on the first play of the second quarter on a five-yard run by DiBiase, who rushed for 145 yards on 24 handles. Collectively Cranston West racked up 201 yards on the ground.
The momentum shifted over to the Tolman sideline. The Tigers chose to ditch the pass on this night, deciding to rumble through the trenches. The two primary ball carriers were senior tailback Jason Lafond (44 yards on 11 carries) and quarterback Jordan Johnson. Johnson picked up 43 of his team-best 80 yards on one carry when he called his own number to give the Tigers a 7-6 lead.
Caito credits Tolman’s ground game to the play of its senior-ladden offensive line. “If you can move a Class A team off the line, those are positives you can take away.” [Because of the weather] we wanted to pound the ball.”
Feeling good after grabbing the lead, Caito opted to catch the Falcons off-guard. The plan worked as the Tigers recovered an onside kick at midfield. Eight plays later, Lafond found paydirt from seven yards out. That allowed Caito & Co. to take a 14-6 lead into halftime.
The Tigers’ defense pitched the equivalent of a shutout for nearly two quarters. The only blemish came when Lafond was tackled in his own end zone in the third quarter. That awarded the Falcons two points and brought them to within 14-8.
A second quarter sack by Claude Medina and an interception by Lafond, which came in the third, were among the Tigers’ defensive highlights.
The Falcons practically owned the third quarter, getting off 19 plays compared to just two for the Tigers. Cranston West was denied on the 1-yard line.
Then came the fumbles, which was the story of the final quarter. The Tigers committed five, losing one big one. Two of the fumbles came on Tolman’s last gasp, which knocked the Tigers back 20 yards.
“We live and learn, but I’m proud of the way our guys played,” said Caito.
|
|
Last Updated ( Saturday, 20 September 2008 )
|
Horoscope
