The Johnston Panthers U10 team had a tough challenge against the Providence 49ers for the 2014 AYF Super Bowl, but once again the Panthers prevailed.
Johnston captured the Super Bowl title with a 13-0 victory.
Not only were both teams facing a tough opponent, but they were also faced with freezing rain, snow and very low temperatures. The Panthers won the coin toss and elected to receive, putting their offense on the field to start the game. The offense, led by Derek Salvatore, managed to take some time off the clock after a long opening drive, which saw good runs by Dimetri Iafrate, Dante Iafrate and Isaiah DeBritto.
The Panthers managed to get the ball down to the 8-yard line before Isaiah DeBritto bulldozed his way into the end zone for the first touchdown of the day, giving the Panthers a 6-0 lead.
The Panthers defense took the field and proved to be extremely tough. The defense managed to stop the 49ers on four consecutive plays. The Panther defense was led by Carlos Alfaia, Dylan Silva, Dante Florio, Michael Morris, Austin Jencks, Andrew Picard, Michael Salzillo, Matthias Barros, Nick Baccala, Alex Morin, Armand DeCosta, Jake Trahan, Eric Luna, Kyle D’Alessandro, Cory Collins and Joe Forte.
The second quarter was uneventful, as both teams had difficulty doing much because of the severe weather conditions. The halftime score had the Panthers leading 6-0 over the 49ers.
The Panthers kicked off to the 49ers to start the second half. Although both teams moved the ball pretty well, neither team managed to find its way into the end zone. The Panthers offense was led by Rafael Ayriyan, Alex Morin, Jesse Pascetta, Michael Laflamee, Dario branch, Noah Laverne, Kyle Iannucillo, Michael Vita, Michael Franco, Adrian Orellana and Jayden Breault.
The Panthers offense took the field at the beginning of the fourth quarter and, after successful runs by Dimetri Iafrate and DeBritto, DeBritto managed to find his way into the end zone from 20 yards out for his second touchdown of the day. Dimetri Iafrate finished off the drive by punching in the extra point from 3 yards out to give the Panthers a 13-0 lead midway through the fourth quarter.
The Providence 49er offense took the field with a little over six minutes left, and although it moved the ball, the Panthers’ defense came up strong again and sealed the victory, giving the team and the Johnston Football League their first AYF Super Bowl victory.
The victory now qualifies Johnston for the New England Regionals; its first opponent will be the New Hampshire state champions, the Pelham Razorbacks. The teams will play this Sunday at 9 a.m. at Cumberland High School.
Johnston 12U Panthers win Super Bowl
On Sunday, the CLCF Chiefs took on the Johnston Panthers in the 12U Super Bowl held at the new Johnston High School athletic complex.
It was a dominant day for Johnston, as it claimed the championship with a 45-14 victory.
The Chiefs kicked off and the Panthers high-powered offense took over at its own 43-yard line. After two, carries by Nic Comella his brother Tom Comella’s number was called and he delivered by taking a pitch 35 yards for the game’s first touchdown. James Isme converted the extra point and the hometown Panthers were quickly ahead 7-0.
The Panthers defense came ready to play. Great tackles by Justin Salvatore, Arion Kennedy and Tim Isom held the Chiefs to a four-and-out. The Panthers took over at the Chiefs’ 30-yard line. After an Isme carry, it was Tom Comella taking an inside handoff and going 24 yards to paydirt. The extra point was no good, keeping the score at 13-0.
The defense held again, with big stops by Jacob Martins, Daryl Hayley and Joey Patterson. On the second play from scrimmage, Tom Comella ripped off a 75-yard touchdown. It was his third touchdown of the first quarter, making the score 19-0.
The Panther defense again held the Chiefs, limiting them to one first down. Christian Olasanoye, Anthony Marsella, Adian Scott and Sebastian Brooks made plays to get the Panthers’ offense back on the field.
It would take only one play for Nic Comella to bust up the middle for a 68-yard TD run. This was made possible by the great blocking of Tom Columbo, Jacob Mainey, Arion Kennedy, Justin Salvatore and Tim Isom. Suddenly it was 25-0 with still 8:09 left in the second quarter.
After another Panther defensive stop, quarterback Zach Lavergne threw a screen pass to Nic Comella, who rumbled down the sidelines for a 51-yard touchdown. Joey Patterson kicked the extra point and the Panthers were up 33-0.
On the ensuing kickoff, the Chiefs returned it all the way for a 75-yard touchdown, but the score was still 33-6.
On the first play of the fourth quarter, Nic Comella ripped off an 84-yard touchdown, his third of the day, making it 39-6.
The Chiefs scored on their next possession, but on the Panthers’ final possession James Isme ripped off a 57-yard touchdown run up the middle to finish the scoring.
“The boys came ready to play and they earned the title of Super Bowl champions,” said head coach Tom Comella.
The team now enters American Youth Football Regional play, where it will play at Cumberland High School on Sunday at 1 p.m. against the New Hampshire state champions.
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