Football Notebook

’Canes search for first divisional win; Pats look to remain hot

By Matt Metcalf
Posted 10/29/15

By MATT METCALF

Sports Editor

As the end of the regular season continues to near, playoff spots around the state in all divisions are beginning to shake out. Particular seeding isn’t evident …

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Football Notebook

’Canes search for first divisional win; Pats look to remain hot

Posted

By MATT METCALF

Sports Editor

As the end of the regular season continues to near, playoff spots around the state in all divisions are beginning to shake out. Particular seeding isn’t evident yet, but some teams are beginning to separate themselves as superior within all four divisions.

In Warwick this week, Vets, Toll Gate and Pilgrim will all host divisional opponents, while Hendricken is idle at 5-0.

- Warwick Vets got in the win column for the first time this season last Friday, edging non-league foe Narragansett 36-32. The eventual game-winning score in that game came on a long touchdown run from Nick Beaufort, who gashed the Mariners through the air and on the ground. But the ’Canes will now turn their attention back to a division opponent – 1-5 Woonsocket. The Novans won their first game against Johnston, 14-12, before dropping five straight games. It should be a fairly even battle between Vets and Woonsocket, as this will be Vets’ best chance to get a divisional win. However, the ’Canes have struggled mightily against Division II teams, allowing 41 points per game over five league games. The Novans, on the other hand, appear to be a bit stronger defensively, holding opponents to 24.5 points per game over six contests. It should be a tight, high-scoring game, but I don’t know if Vets’ defense will be able to get enough stops to win the game.

Score prediction: Woonsocket 38, Vets 30

- Toll Gate dropped a crucial game in Division III action last Saturday, falling to Lincoln by the final score of 27-12. But although the loss looks costly in the standings right now, the Titans will have a chance to get right back in the thick of the playoff race when they host Classical at 10 a.m. on Saturday. The Purple currently sit in second place with a record of 5-1, while 3-2 Toll Gate is on the outside looking in, as the Titans own fifth place. The recipe for success is simple for Toll Gate – run effectively and play stingy defense. The Titans have had fumbling issues at times this season, including losing three fumbles against the Lions on Saturday. When Alex Mowry, Sean Devlin and Austin Giard are holding onto the ball, they form one of the better running back committees in the division. The Titans will have to take care of the ball against an all-around solid Classical team. If they don’t, Classical’s high-powered offense, which is averaging north of 30 points per game, will turn those turnovers into points.

Score prediction: Classical 35, Toll Gate 21

- Pilgrim put up 50 points for a third consecutive game last Saturday, coasting past Hope 50-14. Owen Kelly scored three first-half rushing touchdowns against the Blue Wave, marking the third straight game that the senior running back has gotten into the end zone three times. The Pats are now 4-1 and are averaging the second-most points per game in Division III. They will now host Middletown on Friday night, a team that has struggled at 1-4 after losing several players from its championship squad last fall. I believe that Pilgrim’s offense will keep on rolling, as it will put up points with ease against a weak Islanders team. Middletown defeated Pilgrim 50-8 last season and I think the Pats would like some payback this time around.

Score prediction: Pilgrim 56, Middletown 14

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