Johnston 12U Panthers earn Super Bowl berth

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By PETE FONTAINE

The Johnston Football Association’s undefeated 12U Panthers are Super Bowl bound.

Bolstered by back-to-back playoff victories over the New Bedford Whalers and Central Falls Panthers, Head Coach Gary Salzillo’s squad advanced to the American Youth Football League’s 12U Division Super Bowl that will be played on Sunday, Nov. 5 in Fall River, Massachusetts.

The Johnston Panthers, who whitewashed New Bedford, 13-0, in the first Blackstone Valley Division playoff game and then dispatched Central Falls, 13-0, to extend their seasonal unbeaten string to 11 games, will take on their arch-rival Providence 49ers in the Super Bowl.

Phil Morin, the Panthers’ defensive coordinator, confirmed late yesterday morning that the 12U Super Bowl will be played at Durfee Regional High School Field on Nov. 5. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m.

JOHNSTON 13,

NEW BEDFORD 0

In the Panthers’ first playoff game played at Mayor Joseph M. Polisena Stadium, the 12U squad scored touchdowns in the first and third quarters and rode the strength of its defense to victory.

Johnston’s first offensive series consumed most of the opening quarter, with Brandon Parsons bolting into the end zone for a 6-0 lead. While the point after kick was no good, a fourth down pass-and-catch combination between quarterback Dante Iafrate and tight end Camani Battista resulted in a huge 25-yard gain that set up Parsons’ score.

The hard-nosed Johnston defense, which got stellar efforts from starters Nick Keller, Eli Williams, Alex Morin, Mason Mangiante, Michael Laflamme, Parsons, Nicholas Baccala, Michael Salzillo, Joe Forte, Dylan Martins and Kyle D’Allensandro, limited New Bedford’s offense to less than 60 yards and forced three turnovers during the first three quarters.

Those Panthers who were credited with play that resulted in forcing New Bedford to turn the ball over were Dylan Martins, Iafrate and Israel Hiraldo.

Parsons scored his second touchdown just before the third quarter ended, courtesy of some fine blocking by Morin, Laflamme, Gian Tortolani, Michael Franco, Nick Keller and Camani Batista that enabled Parsons to race 75 yards for the score. He also scored the point after attempt.

JOHNSTON 13,

CENTRAL FALLS 0

The Panthers proved there’s nothing like home field advantage, as they hustled past upset-minded Central Falls at Polisena Stadium, and thus earned a Super Bowl berth against the 49ers.

Johnston’s stingy defense again shined, as pressure from the interior of the 12U defense forced a CF fumble.

That turnover would result in points. After some nifty running by Baccala and Parsons, the Panthers put the ball into the end zone for a 6-0 lead.

The running of Parsons, Baccala, Dillon So and NeAri Vasquez enabled Johnston to keep chewing up valuable CF turf. Baccala scored a touchdown and Parsons blasted through a hole for the extra point that produced Johnston’s margin of victory.

Also turning in solid efforts were: Roberto Martinez, Laflamme, Tortolani, Vinny Campanella, Armand Decosta, Franco, Keller, Alex Fedorchuk, Adrian Orellana, Battista, Anthony Abbruzzi, Jesse Pasceta, Salzillo, Hudson Carvalho, Aiden Lariviere and TJ. Leomenmensah.

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