For the second consecutive week, the Johnston football team put up big numbers on the scoreboard. Two weeks ago, the Panthers scored 48 points against Westerly on the road, and last week they defeated the 0-5 Chariho Chargers 41-22, keeping their playoff hopes alive.
In their first four Division II-B games this season, the Panthers scored a total of 70 points. But in their last two league games, their offense has taken it to another level, scoring 89 points to even their record to 3-3.
“I think we are doing a lot of the little things better,” said Johnston head coach Joe Acciardo. “The plays are the same, we are just executing better. We moved the line around a little bit and we are in more sync.”
Marc Conte and Curtis Mathieu led the Panther ground attack, rushing for 131 and 112 yards respectively as their offensive line created holes in the Charger defense.
“Mathieu and Conte run hard,” Acciardo said. “You give them a little bit of a hole and they will get a lot extra.”
Konstantinos Kirios also contributed to the run game with two touchdowns.
Johnston is now in fourth place in D-II-B with one game remaining in the regular season. Only the top four teams in each division qualify for the postseason.
Playing in only their second home game of the year, the Panthers jumped out to an early lead against Chariho. Johnston quarterback Mike Caparco hit a leaping Larry Dureault with a 30-yard pass play that set up Mathieu ‘s first touchdown run of the night from 11 yards out at the 9:23 mark of the first quarter.
Chariho responded with a Sal Desantis 3-yard touchdown run. Dan Goldberger blocked the point after try, preventing the Chargers from taking the lead.
Three minutes later, Mathieu out-ran Chariho’s defense for a 45-yard score, putting JHS up for good 12-6.
As the second quarter began, Conte ripped off a 70-yard run, faking out numerous defenders. He would later score on a 4-yard burst.
Johnston captain Paul Robitaille then recovered a Chariho fumble at the visitors’ 40-yard line. Kirios punched it in from 5 yards out for a 26-6 JHS lead.
After the Panther defense forced a turnover on downs, Caparco hit Conte on a 35-yard touchdown strike that gave JHS a 34-6 lead heading into the break. The Chargers opened up the second half with a Jake Rousseau to Tyler Bobbin 50-yard touchdown pass. Yet, Kirios made sure Johnston maintained a four-score lead with another 5-yard touchdown rush, as the Panthers cruised the rest of the way.
“We are just working harder at practice,” Caparco said. “Everything is going how we want it to go. I always like throwing to Larry Dureault. He is a good target and has the height and he can go up for the ball.”
Johnston is idle this week and will resume play on Saturday, Nov. 8 at 2 p.m. in what will be its annual homecoming game. The Panthers must defeat two-time defending Division III Super Bowl champion Mt. Pleasant in order to secure a postseason berth. This is Mt. Pleasant ‘s first year in D-II, and it has posted a 1-3 league record.
“Mt Pleasant will be big and fast,” Caparco said. “We just have to play our game and not play their game.”
“Homecoming is filled with distractions,” Acciardo said. “We just have to stay focused on the football game.”
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