Warwick football notebook heading into season openers

Jacob Marrocco
Posted 9/10/15

As Pilgrim, Warwick Vets and Toll Gate gear up for their games this week, look for their non-league contests to be tune-ups for the beginning of league play.

- The ‘Canes open up with a very …

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Warwick football notebook heading into season openers

Posted

As Pilgrim, Warwick Vets and Toll Gate gear up for their games this week, look for their non-league contests to be tune-ups for the beginning of league play.

- The ‘Canes open up with a very favorable matchup against Chariho, which finished 0-7 last season in Division II-B, at home. This game shows real potential for Nick Beaufort and his receivers to work out any mechanical flaws that they have been having, namely the jitters of top receiver Jacob Isaac. Running back Mike Isles had an impressive Injury Fund as he was able to work behind the young and still gelling offensive line to find holes up the middle and to the left. Chariho, since winning the Division II Championship in 2011, has fallen on hard times in the past few years, winning just three of its 21 games. It will be a non-league battle of the two winless teams from Division II last season, but it can give the ‘Canes a chance to work up some valuable momentum before difficult road contests against Rogers (5-2) and Central (3-4). Score prediction: Chariho 14, Vets 17

- Pilgrim by far looked the best at Injury Fund, and I expect that to translate to its opening tilt with Smithfield. The Sentinels went 6-2 last season in Division IV, but were upset in the semifinals by No. 3 seed Scituate, 21-14. Smithfield should be no problem for the Pats as they open their schedule, as they were able to hold off D-II Vets last weekend in their mini-game. It would be far from a surprise to see Owen Kelly pick up a couple of touchdowns on the ground, but here I look at quarterback David McMullen. McMullen didn’t connect much with his receivers last week, mainly picking up yards throwing to Kelly or keeping the ball. I think Pilgrim gains a comfortable lead early on and McMullen explores the field a little more later on, connecting deep with players like Tyrone Weeks. The final preparation will be helpful for Pilgrim, which starts its season with home games against Lincoln (5-3) and Classical (6-2). Score prediction: Smithfield 8, Pilgrim 40

- The Titans have the postseason in their sights, and they can get their early confidence up with a potential laugher against PCD/Wheeler/Juanita Sanchez to start the year. The co-op squad finished second-to-last in Division IV last season with a 1-7 record. That potential momentum that Toll Gate can build up will be essential, especially with the gauntlet it will face following its non-league opener. The Titans host Narragansett (3-5) before hosting D-III runner-up East Greenwich (7-1) and traveling to D-III champion Middletown (8-0). The Titans will hopefully have worked out the preseason nerves with their game against PCD/Wheeler/Juanita Sanchez. Starting sophomore quarterback Anthony Vann has an opportunity here to uncork passes to James Gasbarro among others, as accuracy was an issue last week at Injury Fund. Though senior Alex Mowry is the clear No. 1 running back, sophomore Sean Devlin could have quite a bit to prove in Friday’s game. While Mowry had trouble holding on to the ball, Devlin could not make any room for himself. On the carries he did have, Devlin was often brought down at the line of scrimmage or just beyond it. Establishing a backfield with two solid ball carriers can be an enormous advantage for the Titans as they look to be a surprise playoff team in D-III this season. Score prediction: PCD/Wheeler/Juanita Sanchez 14, Toll Gate 32

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