Hendricken wins freshman crown

LEAVING THE NEST

By Ryan D. Murray
Posted 11/15/16

The Hendricken Hawks beat the Cranston West Falcons, 54-30, in the freshman Super Bowl on Saturday afternoon at Cranston Stadium.

“I’m very proud of the way the whole team responded in this …

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Hendricken wins freshman crown

LEAVING THE NEST

Posted

The Hendricken Hawks beat the Cranston West Falcons, 54-30, in the freshman Super Bowl on Saturday afternoon at Cranston Stadium.

“I’m very proud of the way the whole team responded in this game today,” Hendricken head coach Jon Stringfellow said. “We’ve been rolling all year and to have these guys make plays today was really truly special.”

West star quarterback Cam Alves rolled his ankle late in the first quarter, which proved devastating to the Falcons’ offense. He was able to return to start the second half.

“The injury definitely hurt us in the game,” Cranston West head coach Nick Demarco said. “But one of the toughest moments in this game was seeing Cam on the sidelines come back in, controlling the offense, acting like he wasn’t even injured out there. He’s truly an incredible player.”

Alves returned the opening kickoff all the way to the Hendricken 32-yard line. On first down, Alves threw a dart to fullback Garrett Jackman, who brought it to the 15. Next, running back Noah Robert carried it five yards to the 10. Moments later, Alves tossed to Robert for a touchdown. Jackman ran in the 2-point conversion and West held an early 8-0 lead with 9:17 remaining in the first quarter.

The Hawks started their first possession from their own 47. Quarterback Tom Comella rushed six yards on first down. Next, the quarterback charged three yards before he was stopped by West defensive tackle Rob Giarrusso. On third-and-short, running back Helio Sousa moved the chains for Hendricken with a 1-yard run. Two plays later, Comella connected with running back Angel Sanchez, who took it 34 yards for a first down at the Falcons’ 26 yard line. On third-and-13, Tom Comella rolled right and tossed to Sanchez for a touchdown. The quarterback ran in the 2-point conversion, tying the game at 8 with 5:56 left in the first quarter.

“It was a good response,” Stringfellow said. “We hadn’t been down much early. Cranston West came out fighting. We just battled.”

The Falcons started their next possession from the West 34. On third-and-4, Alves completed a pass to Robert for a gain of 14 yards to midfield. On second down, Alves found Robert again for a first down at the Hawks’ 34. Robert continued to move the chains while rushing 19 yards to the 15. Next, Alves threw a laser to Nate Sena for a touchdown with 1:54 left in the first quarter, giving West a 14-8 edge. West came up empty on the 2-point conversion attempt when Alves was stopped at the goal line.

The Hawks took possession at their own 41. On first down, Tom Comella ran a keeper 44 yards to the Falcons’ 15-yard line. On second-and-2, the quarterback ran right before fumbling the ball and West defensive back Dylan Walters picked it up and returned it to the Hawks’ 12-yard line.

Hendricken would score anyway.

On first down, Carvalho’s pass was intercepted by Nick Comella, who returned it all the way to pay dirt, putting Hendricken up 16-14.

“I was ready for it,” Nick Comella said. “I knew that it was a close game. I knew that we needed a big play, so I made a big play.”  

Later in the half, the Hawks added to their lead. On first down from the Hendricken 32, Sanchez sprinted 68 yards to pay dirt, making it 24-14.

The Falcons started the ensuing drive from their own 35. Carvalho ran a quarterback sneak 15 yards to midfield. During the next play, Jackman fumbled the ball and the Hawks’ Matt Theroux recovered it.

Moments later, Tom Comella threw a bomb to wide receiver Jordan Robbins for a 49-yard gain and a first down at the Falcons’ 12-yard line. Nick Comella rushed in for the touchdown from three yards out, putting Hendricken up 32-14 with 4:29 to play in the first half.

The Falcons started the next drive from their own 43. On second down, Carvalho connected with Andrew Dionizio for a 37-yard gain. Then, Carvalho ran three times, scoring a touchdown from one yard out, pulling West within 32-22.

West started the second half with the ball after a successful squib kick was recovered by Jackman at the Hawks’ 44-yard line. However, West wasn’t able to find the end zone and on fourth down, Carvalho’s punt was blocked and Hendricken took over at its own 37.

On first down, Nick Comella carried it seven yards. On third-and-1, Nick Comella raced up the middle 53 yards to pay dirt, putting Hendricken on top, 40-22, with 9:38 left in the third quarter.

The Falcons began their next possession at their own 40. On first down, Alves completed a pass to Jackman for a pickup of seven. On third-and-2, Jackman ran three yards for a first down. Next, Carvalho ran a keeper right seven yards to the 42. However, on fourth-and-3, a reverse to Sena was sniffed out by the Hawks’ defense and Hendricken took over on downs at its own 39-yard line.

The Hawks continued where they left off. On first down, Tom Comella flipped to Sanchez, who dashed 61 yards for the touchdown, extending Hendricken’s lead to 48-22.

West started its next drive from its own 38.

On first down, Sanchez stepped back to pass and his throw was picked off by Jake Waterman, who returned it to the Hawks’ 44-yard line.

On first down, Nick Comella rushed up the middle 27 yards to the Falcons’ 29-yard line. Next, Nick Comella brought it 18 yards to the 11. On second-and-3, Sousa rushed in for the score from four yards out, making it 54-22 with 2:39 to play in the third quarter.

West was able to get a score late in the game.

With 44.3 seconds to play, Carvalho connected with running back Dylan Walters for a touchdown, making it 54-30.

Demarco was happy with the Falcons’ effort.

“Every kid on this field stepped up,” Demarco said. “We were in it for a long time. We just kept fighting and I’m very proud of my team today.” 

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