Avenger Football: Narragansett Tops East Greenwich, 29-22

Much like the Dallas Cowboys, the Narragansett Mariners kept things interesting on Thanksgiving, as they struggled to control their emotions and hang on to the football against a weaker-on-paper East Greenwich team.

However, the Mariners (7-4, 6-2 Division III) scored with about four minutes remaining on an 18-yard run to the right by senior Francis Castrovillari. He finished with three touchdowns, part of a dominant rushing attack with seniors Mark Griffith (18 carries for 177 yards) and Willie Perkins (18 for 135).

Unfortunately for Narragansett, they struggled to play under control against East Greenwich (4-7, 3-5 Division III). 

The Mariners were penalized 16 times for 155 yards, and also had five fumbles, three of which they lost. Defensive end P.J. Dougherty was ejected after several personal fouls, meaning he will be unavailable for Narragansett’s first playoff game.

The Avengers only had 56 yards on the ground, and 110 in the air. However, they capitalized on seven Narragansett personal fouls, and also ran back a squib kickoff.

East Greenwich briefly held a lead in the first half. After trailing 2-0 after a Connor Timpson safety for much of the first, the Avengers scored on a two-yard plunge by sophomore Carney Crawford with 42 seconds left in the half.

The Mariners committed four penalties on the drive, and also gave up a 30-yard pass from Dan Miner to Kyle Palmer. The Avengers had no answer for the Narragansett rushing attack though, as the Mariners averaged 7.2 yards per carry.

Despite only having 42 seconds to work with, Narragansett went into halftime leading 8-7. On the final drive of the half, Griffith completed a pass down the left sideline to Castrovillari for a 58-yard touchdown. After an unsportsmanlike penalty on a player for trash talking, Christian Humulock missed a 35-yard extra point attempt.

After the three initial drives of the game, which resulted in a punt, Timpson’s safety and a Castrovillari interception, Narragansett struggled a bit with the Avengers’ passing game. Miner finished 12-for-21 with a touchdown, an interception and 110 yards.

East Greenwich also had the best-scouted play of the game. After noting that Narragansett only did squib kicks, East Greenwich head coach John George put more of a hands team out to receive kicks. It paid off when junior Peter Hunziker ran back a kick untouched for a touchdown, tying the game at 22 with 7:31 left.

However, Narragansett put the game away with a nine play drive, leaving East Greenwich with 3:22 to tie the game. A miscommunication on a handoff between Miner and Crawford resulted in a fumble, which Narragansett senior Jack Durkin pounced on, dislocating his hand in the process.

Narragansett head coach Dick Fossa said they would try to wrap up Durkin’s hand and imagined that he would be available for the Mariners’ playoff game Tuesday against Middletown. The Mariners are hosting the Islanders under the lights at South Kingstown High School on Tuesday.

NARRAGANSETT STATS

2

   INT

EAST GREENWICH STATS