The Johnston Panthers finally made their home debut on Sunday, and the 10U Panthers certainly made it count. In a match-up of the only unbeaten teams in the league, Johnston beat the Central Falls Panthers 33-6.
The day started well for Johnston, who won the toss and elected to receive. The tone was set from the opening series after several successful runs by Isaiah DeBritto and Dimetri Iafrate, which led to a 23-yard touchdown by Iafrate and an extra point by DeBritto to give Johnston a 7-0 lead after the first possession.
On the following kickoff, Johnston’s Dante Iafrate recovered the onside kick. However the Johnston offense was stopped on four downs, which gave the ball to Central Falls for the first time in the game. After a couple of first downs by the Central Falls Panthers, the Johnston stepped up for a stop, led by Carlos Alfaia, Nick Baccala, Matthias Barros, Michael Salzillo, Andrew Picard, Austin Jencks, Dante Florio, and Dylan Silva.
Derek Salvatore and the Panther offense came back on the field and on the fourth play of the possession, Dimetri Iafrate took the ball and ran 70 yards for his second touchdown to give Johnston a 13-0 lead. Central Falls managed to stuff Johnston on the extra point attempt.
After receiving the following kickoff, the Central Falls offense put a nice drive together with four minutes left in the half, which eventually led to a 45-yard touchdown run, cutting the Johnston led to 13-6. But with just two minutes left in the half, the Johnston offense answered. Two long pass plays to Andrew Picard and Michael LaFlamme moved the ball deep into Central Falls territory. After Johnston managed the clock, Dimetri Iafrate put the ball into the end zone before time expired, giving the Johnston Panthers a 20-6 halftime lead.
Central Falls received the ball in the second half and after a few successful run plays. the Johnston defense came up with another stop.
On the ensuing possession, Johnston broke the game open. Tough runs by Dante Iafrate and DeBritto det up a 55-yard touchdown run by Dimetri Iafrate, giving the Panthers a 26-6 lead. As it did all day, the Johnston offensive line shined, with Alex Morin, Michael Franco, Jesse Pascetta, Rafael Ayriyan, Michael Morris, Picard, LaFlamme, Dario Branch, Noah Lavergne, Kyle Iannucillo, Cory Collins, Michael Vita, and Joe Forte leading the way.
The Central Falls offense took the field again and the Johnston defense seemed to get even tougher, smothering everything its Panther counterparts wanted to do. Johnston tacked on another touchdown when Hudson Carvalho broke off a 49-yard touchdown run. Matthias Barros converted the extra point, capping off the victory.
Johnston is now the only undefeated team left in the 10U division. The team will be at home again Sunday when it hosts Upper Cape at 11 a.m.
Panthers 12U also stay perfect
The 12U Panthers also made their debut on the new field and like their 10U counterparts, posted another big win. Johnston topped Central Falls 35-0 to move to 7-0 on the season.
Joey Patterson kicked off for the Panthers, and the defense immediately set the tone. Tom Colombo and Tom Comella each had solo tackles to pin Central Falls deep in its own end to force a four-and-out.
The Panthers offense commanded by quarterback Zack Lavergne took over and struck quickly. Lavergne pitched to Tom Comella, who ran the ball in for a 45-yard touchdown on the Panthers’ first offensive play. Nic Comella then ran in for the extra point, and the Panthers were quickly up 7-0.
The black and blue defense was dominant again on the next possession. Tim Isom led the charge with great tackling, forcing Central Falls to another four-and-out.
The offense was on the field a little longer this time, as Tom Comella, James Isme and Nic Comella delivered power runs to march down the field. Nic Comella scored on a 10-yard touchdown run. The extra point was unsuccessful, but Johnston led 13-0.
On the next Central Falls Series, Isom, Jacob Martins and Joey Charette had great containment of the Central Falls offense. The Panther offense also came up empty on its next chance, fumbling the ball back to Central Falls.
Once again, though, the Panther defense stepped up. Nic Comella, Arion Kennedy, Anthony Marsella, Anthony Gawlick, Patterson and Aiden Scott delivered strong performances. On the Panthers’ next offensive possession, they were back in business. Tom and Nic Comella each had runs for first downs and Nic Comella punched the ball into the end zone for another Panther touchdown. The extra point was not completed, but the lead was now 19-0.
From there, Johnston forced another four-and-out, setting up a 45-yard touchdown run by Nic Comella and an extra point kick by Patterson that made it 27-0.
After recovering an onside kick, Johnston came up empty but continued to play tough defense, with key plays by Sebastian Brooks, Martins, Kennedy and Justin Salvatore. Central Falls responded with a good drive, but Nic Comella intercepted a pass at the Johnston 4-yard line and returned it 96 yards for a touchdown. Key blocks by Columbo and Kennedy paved the way on the return. Patterson’s extra point made it 35-0. That was the final margin.
“The boys played like a team, it was great to see,” said head coach Tom Comella. “The boys are listening to the coaching staff and working hard together.”
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