East Greenwich Drops Home Game Against Middletown, 13-28

The relentless ground attack of the defending Division III champion Middletown Islanders proved to be too strong for the Avengers fatigued defense and resulted in East Greenwich’s first official loss of the season.

“We didn’t compete in the fourth,” said Avengers coach John George after the crushing defeat. “No one seemed to step up and make a big play when we needed it.”
   
Middletown’s backfield duo of Kevin Nash and Randy Butler utilized the Avengers defensive complacency, combining for 261 yards on the ground.
   
“We tend to start games off slow and pick it up in the later quarters,” stated running back Kevin Nash. “That’s just how are team has been operating this year.”
   
Nash’s words proved valid in the outlook of Friday’s game. Following a sudden Middletown touchdown, the Avengers evened up the score quickly after a 25-yard touchdown pass from East Greenwich quarterback, Andrew Miner, to senior captain tight end, Kevin Mason.
   
“(Andrew) Miner did an excellent job in the air today,” said Mason. “He showed a remarkable sense of poise that is not expected from a sophomore.”
   
Miner, capitalizing on a Carney Crawford interception, threw another 25-yard touchdown to junior wide receiver Kyle Palmer to take the lead in the third quarter.
   
Those would be the last of EG’s points, however, being outscored by Middletown 0-22 in the last 20 minutes of the game.
   
“We need to overcome our mistakes in the later quarters and take it upon ourselves to hold our leads and solidify our victories,” said Coach George after the game.
   
The Avengers will have to step up next week on the road against a proven Classical team, while the Islanders will compete in a non-league game against Chariho Friday, Oct. 7, at Gaudet Middle School.

Writer Scott Cullinane is a senior at East Greenwich High School.