JV Football: West Defeats East

The Cranston West and East JV Football squads faced off on Friday evening at Cranston Stadium to finish their respective seasons. The Falcons leaned on Running Back Jake Moretti for their ground attack and he came up big with two touchdowns, one rushing and one receiving, to propel West to a 28-14 victory.

The contest was scheduled to start at 6 p.m., but due to a miscommunication in scheduling there were no referees present. The teams waited for about 30 minutes and then agreed to have two assistant coaches from each team officiate the game.

"It would've been nice to have officials. They are always nice to have at football games," Cranston West Coach Corey Capirchio joked after the game.

After about a 45-minute delay, West received and started with good field position at their own 45-yard line. The drive stalled quickly although, and the Falcons turned it over on downs on their first two possessions. A Falcon was injured on a running play on their second drive, as he was upended on his carry, causing an injury. He remained on the field until the paramedics arrived and received an ovation from all players and fans in attendance when he was taken out on a stretcher.

The Thunderbolts would score on their second drive, as they methodically maneuvered for 70 yards in 8 plays. Alex Corvese hooked up with Jimmy Saab twice on the drive, and finished off the drive himself with a 2-yard QB Sneak. Corvese found Patrick Pita for the two-pint conversion and the Bolts took an early 8-0 lead.

With five minutes remaining the half the Thunderbolts elected to go for it on fourth down at their own 43-yard line and they were unsuccessful, leaving the Falcons with great field position. The Falcons went to their lead back on four consecutive snaps, the fourth of which Jake Moretti punched in for a 23-yard touchdown. Moretti accounted for all 43 yards on the drive and was an integral part of the Falcon comeback. West failed to convert on the two-point conversion, but they now only trailed by two at 8-6.

Cranston West made a great defensive stand on the ensuing East drive and forced a punt. Unfortunately for the Falcons, it was a booming kick which covered 50 yards, leaving West with one timeout and 1:30 on the clock. The Falcons handed off to Moretti on second down and he busted a 22 yard rush, while also getting out of bounds to stop the clock. John Castore then found Matthew Downing for a 15-yard gain. West got down to the East 24 after a seven yard rush from Castore. With five seconds remaining, Downing's number was called again on the final play of the half, as he and Castore collaborated for the second time on the drive, resulting in a touchdown in the corner of the end zone against double coverage. Downing's catch changed the tenor of the game, as the Falcons held their first lead at 12-8 going into halftime.

Both teams traded turnovers on their opening drives of the second half, as the Thunderbolts were intercepted and the Falcons fumbled on their own 12-yard line. Alex Corvese rushed for his second touchdown of the game on the QB Sneak and the Thunderbolts regained the lead at 14-12. 

The Falcons responded on their next drive, going 65 yards for the score. West used an array of running backs with success on the drive. Castore capped of the drive with a touchdown carry, as West reclaimed the lead, at 18-14. Castore found Michael Aceto for the two-point conversion, giving the Falcons a six-point lead at 20-14.

The Thunderbolts penetrated Falcon territory on their next drive, but a high snap put them in a second and long situation. East was forced to punt, but the Falcons lost possession and East was given another chance late in the game. But the Bolts gave the ball back moments later, when Joey Phonephanh fumbled. 

The Falcons would seal their victory with good field position at the East 41. Jeremy King found Jake Moretti for the touchdown and King scrambled for the two-point conversion, putting the Falcons ahead by two scores at 28-14. That score would stand and the Falcons took the victory.

A huge key for the Falcons was scoring at the end of the half to swing the momentum of the game. 

"Getting into the end zone before the half was huge," Cranston West Coach Corey Capirchio said. 

Capirchio used two Quarterbacks and four running backs in the game, all of which were effective.

"I got everyone a carry and I got everyone the ball and everyone contributed offensively for us tonight," Capirchio said.

Despite no officials Capirchio said that the game would most likely still count because both teams agreed on the officiating sitaution. Cranston West JV finished at 6-4 for the season and Cranston East did not technically play in a division this year, as both teams closed out their regular season on Friday, and effectively their season, as there are no JV playoffs.