Avenger Football Wins Season Opener, 31-8

The Avengers varsity football team traveled to Exeter/West Greenwich on Saturday for non-league play against the Scarlet Knights, walking away with a 31-8 win. Coming on strong, EG’s quarterback Andrew Miner took the ball across the goal-line for the first points of the game. The Knights answered back in the second quarter with a touchdown by Gary Benedetti followed by a two-point conversion. EG made two more touchdowns, one by Pete Hunzicker and another by Andrew Miner with just a minute left in the half. The Avengers left the field at halftime with an 18 to 8 lead over the Knights. The Avengers continued strong play in the second half with additional touchdowns by Fabian Nacimento and Dan Josloff. EG’s defense continued to hold back the Knights, who were unable to put any more points on the scoreboard.

Quarterback Andrew Miner was positive about the team’s performance after the game. “It’s good to see the kind of improvement we’ve had since last year,” he said. Miner made note of the successful catches by Pete Hunzicker and Fabian Nacimento, Carney Crawford’s strong running game, and the strength of the offensive line. On the defensive side, Miner indicated that “fourth down stops were a big part of our game.”  

In evaluating the team’s performance, Coach John George indicated that “offensively the team did some things pretty well” and “defensively we started off slowly but came on strong in the second half.” He will be looking for the team to run the ball better and be more balanced in its offense both in the air and on the ground.

EG’s first home game of the season is Friday, Sept. 14, at 7 p.m. on Carcieri Field against the Ponaganset Chieftains, who just moved down from Division II. The Avengers will be aiming to improve the 1:0 record, while the Chieftains will be looking to come back from their 40-0 loss last week to Johnston. 

Quarterback Andrew Miner noted that “the team is definitely looking for some good home-town support” at Friday’s home game.

There's a tailgate event Friday too. For $10, you get two hot dogs or a hamburger (or veggie burger), chips, a drink, dessert, and a ticket to the game. All are invited.