The co-division champion Johnston Panthers had company in playoff disappointment this past weekend. The two sides of Division II – II-A and II-B – square off in the playoffs, and these year’s pairings tilted completely toward the II-B squads. D-II-B teams Rogers, St. Raphael, West Warwick and Cumberland all posted quarterfinal victories, leaving II-A completely out of the semifinals.
Top-seeded Woonsocket – who shared the II-A regular season title with Johnston – came closest to the semis. The Villa Novans led St. Raphael 14-0 at halftime in a rematch of a 2012 playoff game. But in the second half, the Saints – who went 5-2 and were part of a five-way tie for first place in II-B – turned things completely around, scoring two touchdowns and notching a two-point conversion on the second on their way to a 15-14 win.
While Johnston was also within striking distance in its 28-14 loss to Rogers, the other two games were lopsided affairs.
Cumberland, the defending Division II champion, matched up with II-A No. 3 seed Coventry and stormed to a 42-7 victory. Joe Fine and Michael Stock each had two touchdowns for the Clippers. The Oakers managed just a fourth-quarter score.
West Warwick – who emerged from the five-way tie as the top seed – cruised past Mt. Hope 42-0 on Saturday. The Wizards went to the air early and often, with Kody Greenhalgh tossing five touchdown passes. West Warwick led 38-0 at halftime against the Huskies, who had snuck into the playoffs with a win in the final week of the regular season.
On top of the playoff wins, II-B also flexed its muscle in non-league crossover games, which are added to schedules for teams that do not qualify for the post-season. In those games, Central beat Chariho 26-14, Pilgrim beat Toll Gate 20-16, Shea beat Westerly 28-18 and North Kingstown – the one 5-2 team that was left on the outside of the playoffs – rolled past Warwick Vets 40-6.
In all, Division II-B went 8-0 in games against II-A.
The playoffs continue this weekend with the semifinal games, which for the first time, are being played before Thanksgiving. St. Raphael will visit Cumberland on Friday at 7 p.m., while Rogers heads to West Warwick on Saturday at 1 p.m.
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