Regular seasons have been kind to the Johnston High School football team the past two seasons, but it’s the postseason showings over those years that really resonate – and not in a good way.
A combined 13-1 record and consecutive Division II-A regular season titles have had the Panthers thinking big when the playoffs come around, only to be eliminated both times in the quarterfinals.
Not winning a playoff game over that span has been understandably disappointing for Johnston, and with a talented roster returning from last year, the team will set out to erase those memories and make new, better ones when the time comes.
In the meantime, the Panthers are focused on replicating their recent regular season showings with the idea that this time it will translate to the playoffs.
“We want to get in there and we want to exceed where we’ve dropped off,” said Johnston head coach Joe Acciardo. “I don’t want to talk about playoffs, but there’s no doubt that that first round has been a burden for us. Of course we want to get past there, and we don’t want to stop there.”
Johnston’s path to any success will be different this year, as realignment juggled Division II and left the Panthers in II-B along with former II-A rivals Chariho and Westerly, II-B holdovers West Warwick and North Kingstown, D-III risers Moses Brown and Mt. Pleasant, and Tolman, which moved down from D-I.
Whether or not that makes things more difficult or a little bit easier remains to be seen, but Johnston feels like it has the talent to contend no matter what, starting with senior running back Marc Conte.
A first-team all-division selection last season, Conte is going to be the feature back for the Panthers while also playing strong safety.
“We’re going to try to feed him the ball and ride that,” Acciardo said. “Hopefully he stays healthy and he goes. I think he’s potentially one of the best running backs in the state.”
The backfield’s make-up begins with Conte, but it doesn’t end there. Senior Konstantinos Kirios is back for another season after earning first-team all-division as a linebacker last year. He should be a big factor, as should fellow senior Curtis Mathieu. Junior Tyler Nasisi and Joe Turchetta are also in line for some carries, as is senior Isaiah Fravien.
A team that traditionally spreads its around, Johnston will do some of that this year, with an eye on getting its better players touches and opening up bigger holes for their top man, Conte.
“I’m sure we will (spread it around), because it’s going to help (Conte),” Acciardo said. “But there’s always a guy that gets more yards than the others. And he’s a rare combination of size and speed. He’s got great vision, and he can cut back against the grain.”
Senior Mike Caparco is back at quarterback after splitting time last season with Mark Breton. He’ll be an asset in his third year under center.
“He’s got a strong arm,” Acciardo said. “Size-wise is where we’re going to have to get him to move around and get him out of the pocket.”
Out wide, Caparco will rely on senior receivers Aaron Perfetto, Larry Dureault and Dylan Keenan. Senior Tyler Clarke can play tight end.
On the line, Johnston is still working it out, but there is a decent mix of returners and newcomers. Senior Paul Robitaille was a second-team all-division selection last year, while senior Derric Vigeant is also back. Juniors John Bucci, Michael Burgess and John Pingatore saw some time last year, and junior Gian Paola is in the mix too. Senior Asher Bergeron could factor in, as could La Salle transfer Drew Martinelli.
“We’ve got some young linemen that have kind of had a baptism by fire,” Acciardo said. “They’re doing real well. We have senior backfield, a lot of older guys, and we’re going to expect a lot out of them.”
On the defensive side of the ball, Kirios and Vigeant will play middle linebacker, while Mathieu is another linebacker and senior Daniel Goldberger is there too.
Kirios, though, leads the way.
“He’s like a little fireplug,” Acciardo said. “He really goes. He’s a downhill kind of guy.”
In the secondary, Keenan, Dureault, Turchetta, Nasisi and Kenny Cue are all capable corners, while Conte will play safety.
The line will consist of Martinelli, Robitallie, Soares, Dominic Sullivan and sophomore Chris Fryer, among others.
The punting is up for grabs, with Riley Brazenor seizing the kicking duties at the moment.
“It’s all a learning process, like every year,” Acciardo said.
Johnston is also at a disadvantage with its home field, which is being re-done but isn’t ready for play just yet. The Panthers already had to move their non-league opener against Hendricken on Sept. 12 to Hendricken after it was originally scheduled as a home game.
Johnston’s first two D-II games – Sept. 19 at Tolman and Sept. 26 at North Kingstown – are also on the road, and it’s not scheduled to play a home game until Oct. 3 against West Warwick.
The Panthers also have an Injury Fund game at North Providence on Sept. 5 against Burrillville.
“When they tell me that field is ready, we can’t wait to get on it,” Acciardo said.
Johnston can’t wait to get the season started, either.
It’s trying to continue a streak of seven consecutive seasons in which it has finished above. 500 in league play. And it’s trying to take the next step when league play comes to a close.
“We don’t want to be one and out in the playoffs,” Acciardo said. “That’s getting a little tiring.”
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