By ALEX SPONSELLER The Toll Gate football team earned its first win of the season last Saturday when it beat visiting Central Falls/Blackstone Valley Prep 24-8.

Zach DeCorpo had a huge game for the Titans, hauling in touchdown receptions in the second and third quarter as well as multiple 2-point conversions.

Quarterback Joe Pankowicz threw for two touchdowns and rushed for another to help the Titans roll to the victory. He also rushed for a 2-point conversion of his own.

“It was great, they were excited obviously. You haven’t won a game, kids are down and you try to build them up. You tell them it’s possible, they’re going to do it. Then they do it and it’s a real positive going into North Smithfield,” said Toll Gate head coach Jim Stringfellow.

DeCorpo has emerged as one of Toll Gate’s top players and the coaching staff has been thrilled with his impact on each side of the ball.

“He’s progressing great and we have him for another year next season. He’s a leader, he’s very upbeat and the kids love him. He’s a very good junior leader,” said Stringfellow.

The Titans will next host North Smithfield/Mount St. Charles on Saturday. Stringfellow is happy to see his team get its first victory and hopes it will take it one step at a time as it makes a playoff push in the last few weeks.

“It’s never easy, but it’s going to take some pressure off of us. Guys are buying into the system. It’s going to get harder, but they believe in it and we have to convince them that they can do it,” Stringfellow said. “We’re just taking it one down at a time, one quarter at a time, one game at a time. (North Smithfield/MSC is) winless so they have nothing to lose. Being winless is tough, so they’re coming out hungry. We just need to keep doing what we do. Grind it out, eat up the clock and not give them time of possession.”