FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK

Hawks host Novans on Senior Night; Titans eye crucial win

By Matt Metcalf
Posted 10/27/16

With the regular season nearing its end, all three Warwick schools are once again in action this week. After a big win at Portsmouth last week, Hendricken will look to keep its unbeaten season rolling, while Pilgrim and Toll

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FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK

Hawks host Novans on Senior Night; Titans eye crucial win

Posted

With the regular season nearing its end, all three Warwick schools are once again in action this week.

After a big win at Portsmouth last week, Hendricken will look to keep its unbeaten season rolling, while Pilgrim and Toll Gate will search to get back in the win column following tough losses last Friday evening. Bishop Hendricken (5-0) didn’t miss a beat coming off its bye last week, toppling Portsmouth, 54-14, on the road to create some separation from the Patriots (3-2) in the standings.

The Hawks will have potentially their most favorable matchup to date this week when they welcome winless Woonsocket (0-5) on Friday at 7 p.m. for senior night.

The Novans are coming off a 14-0, shutout loss to previously winless Cranston West. Furthermore, Woonsocket has scored the fewest points (19) and have surrendered the most points (156) in Division I-A.

Hendricken, on the other hand, has continued to click on all cylinders offensively, with Chris Hindle, Andrew Hopgood, Matt DiTondo and Kwity Paye leading the Hawks to 110 points over their last two games.

That offensive pace should continue this week. As many teams have been this season, Woonsocket will be overwhelmed with Hendricken’s balance and depth.

Prediction: Hendricken 49, Woonsocket 0

Pilgrim (1-4) put together a solid defensive effort against reigning Division II champion Moses Brown, but turnovers cost the Pats 17 points in an eventual 24-0 defeat.

The road doesn’t get any easier this week for Pilgrim as it travels to West Warwick’s Maznicki Field on Friday at 7 p.m. to take on the Wizards (4-1).

West Warwick has allowed the fewest points this season in all of Division II, with its only blemish coming via a hard-fought, 9-8 loss to the Quakers.

On paper, it doesn’t look like a great matchup for Pilgrim, as West Warwick seems to be one of the strongest teams D-II has to offer, particularly on defense, while Pilgrim’s offense has struggled as of late.

I think the Pats will get on the board, but the Wizards will certainly be a tough opponent on their senior night.

Prediction: West Warwick 28, Pilgrim 8

Toll Gate (1-4) dropped a non-league affair with Coventry last Friday night, 32-8, but it has a winnable game upcoming this Friday at 7 p.m. at Warwick Vets against Hope (1-4).

The Blue Wave, like Toll Gate, have had their struggles this season, defeating North Providence, but dropping decisions to Scituate and North Smithfield/Mount St. Charles Co-op.

The Titans need to win this game to get back on track and make a push for the fourth and final playoff spot in Division III-B. Currently, there is a four-way tie for fourth place, with Toll Gate, Hope, North Providence and Scituate all sitting at 1-4 in league play.

I think the Titans will get a big effort out of junior quarterback Anthony Vann and bounce back in front of their home crowd.

Hope has struggled to post points offensively, so if Toll Gate shuts it down early, it should have a good chance of rolling to a victory.

Prediction: Toll Gate 30, Hope 14

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