Panthers 9U squad shuts out Jets

Sunday morning marked the final game for the Johnston Panthers 9U squad against the North Providence Jets, and it went out with a bang, winning by a final of 34-0.

The game got off to a quick start when Nick Testa kicked off for Johnston, and the ball found a hole on the right side of the field and was promptly recovered by Drew Buteau. Buteau, who is also the team’s starting quarterback, led the team down the field, promptly resulting in the first touchdown of the day for Jayden Allard. The point after attempt was successfully run in by Testa.

The next kickoff was placed in almost the exact spot on the field as the first, and was again recovered by Buteau. Again the Johnston offense drove down the field and scored a touchdown on a spectacular run by Allard for his second touchdown of the game. The point after attempt was successfully run in again, this time however by first-year player JP Furtado.

After a long kickoff, the Johnston defense finally got to see the field, and it quickly stifled the North Providence drive on a third down fumble recovery by Furtado. The turnover was turned into points after a short touchdown scamper by Jason Schino for his first career touchdown.

After leading by a score of 21-0 at the half, the scoring slowed down for the most part for the Panthers. After receiving the second-half kickoff, the Panthers scored on their initial drive of the half on a long 36-yard touchdown run by running back Michael Messina. Messina, who ran hard the entire game, was able to break a couple of tackles and showed breakaway speed on the run.

Late in the third quarter, after another fumble recovered by Furtado, the Johnston offense once again found its footing. After getting just inside the 5-yard line on a run by Allard, Buteau was able to punch it in from two yards out for his first career touchdown run.

Also collecting a career first was Michael Farland, who recorded his first career solo tackle late in the second quarter. Jaiden Weston also ran for nine yards on two carries, the first of his career.

Overall, it was an excellent game plan put on by the Johnston coaching staff. Running the offense is Matt Buteau, Ralph Turner, Lenny Ellis and Jack Pascale. Heading the defense was the solid staff of Josh Small, Ron Ruo and Ron DellaMorte. Others lending valuable input were Ronnie Williams and Sam Farland. The team was led by team mom Megan Ruo and Head Coach Ed Benoit.